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His college path took some twists and turns; basketball wasn’t always in the picture, either.
Pendleton, a 24-year-old forward, is the second oldest men’s basketball player in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, behind Central Washington’s 26-year-old Roby Clyde.
Pendleton is having a breakout senior season with the Saints, averaging 14.4 points per game while leading the team in rebounds (7.4) and blocked shots (2.5).
“This year, he’s played huge minutes and has a lot more bounce in his step,” Saints coach Keith Cooper said. “He’s been very consistent. Every game he’s brought it.”
“I can’t imagine what I’d be doing right now if I wasn’t playing (basketball),” Pendleton said. “Probably working somewhere part-time while finishing up my degree, which doesn’t sound like a blast to me compared to what I’m doing now.”
After graduating from Auburn High School in 2005, he decided to attend Brigham Young University, but not to play basketball.
His desire to play was still so strong, he transferred to Green River Community College after one semester.
He played a season for the Gators, then served a two-year mission in France (2007-08) for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A broken foot cost him a chance to play on his return to Washington, but he returned the next season.
A few four-year colleges showed interest in Pendleton out of Green River – including SMU, Evergreen and Eastern Oregon. He wasn’t sure he wanted to continue playing, but now he’s glad he’s with the Saints.
“I couldn’t be happier,” said Pendleton, who carries a 3.9 grade-point average and will graduate this spring with a degree in business.
“I made the right choice.”
Last season, Pendleton found himself behind Blake Poole, SMU’s All-American and the 2010-11 GNAC player of the year, and senior Jeremy Green on the depth chart. It was the first time Pendleton recalled from as far back as middle school he wasn’t looked upon as the go-to player, and he was fine with his role.
He came off the bench in all 29 games, playing an average of 15.4 minutes and averaging 5.6 points, 2.5 rebounds per game.
“I was behind players who were better than me,” Pendleton said. “I learned a lot from them – hard work, physical play – and Blake is the most determined player in the game I’ve ever seen.”
Pendleton’s strong work ethic helped him transform into a new player this season.
Possibly the best thing for him – basketball-wise, anyway – was that he was unable to find a job last summer.
Instead, he worked out three hours a day, six days a week. He shed 25 pounds, and now carries a lean 200 pounds on his 6-foot-6 frame. He also increased his vertical leap by four inches and added quickness.
Every one of his positive statistical categories is up from last season. His 2.5 blocks rank him 12th nationally in NCAA Division II. He has started all 22 games, played an average of 30 minutes per contest, and has made 50 percent of his shots (124-for-248) going into Saturday’s home game against Western Oregon.
“He’s made great strides in how positive he is,” Cooper said. “He’s the epitome of hard work and dedication.”
Just this past weekend, Pendleton had two of his better games in the Saints’ heartbreaking losses to Simon Frasier (88-85) and GNAC leader and nationally ranked Western Washington (70-67).
He equaled his career-high of 26 points against the Clan, then followed it up with a game-high 24 in the loss to the Vikings.
The Saints, (8-14 overall, 4-9 GNAC) eighth with the top six teams advancing to the GNAC tournament Feb. 29 and March 2-3 at Saint Martin’s Marcus Pavilion.
Meg Wochnick: 360-754-5473
mwochnick@theolympian.com
