Cluff and Byard make commitments official, sign to NCAA Div. I schools

DOUGLAS, Ariz.-- It's official! Oscar Cluff and Stephen "Tank" Byard both signed their National Letter of Intent last week to play NCAA Division I Basketball next season. Both Cluff and Byard verbally committed to Washington State and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi respectively early last month. Tank Byard was the 2021 ACCAC Player of the Year and an NJCAA All-American, and according to the TAMCC athletics website, head coach Steve Lutz stated he is "excited to welcome [Tank] into the Islander family" and is a "hard-working, aggressive forward who can affect the game both inside and out."

Oscar Cluff, of Sunshine Coast, Australia, has officially signed with Pac-12 member Washington State University. The future Cougar led the country in field-goal percentage in 2021 at .750 while averaging 12.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. According to the WSU athletics website, head coach Kyle Smith stated that they are thrilled to add Oscar to their program. Smith added, "He is a big body with great length and excellent feel for the game. In addition, with his length and width, he will provide us with great rim protection."

Both Cluff and Byard begin their Sophomore seasons at Cochise, who are ranked 23 in the latest NJCAA Div. I polls, and as high as 5 in the latest "Juco Weekly Top 25" polls. The Apaches open up ACCAC play when they host Scottsdale Community College on November 22nd at 5:30 pm.