Overton, a key Husky recruit, cleared to play

SEATTLE — Five months after signing the local basketball talent, the Huskies found out that Venoy Overton will be able to play for them this year.

The 6-foot guard’s academic eligibility had been a question mark going back to his senior year at Seattle’s Franklin High School, but on Tuesday Overton received word that he was deemed eligible by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Huskies coach Lorenzo Romar said he had to hear the news from one of his other players who was with Overton, because the newest Husky was too busy running around with excitement.

Overton will provide athleticism and depth to the Huskies backcourt. Romar likes more than just Overton’s basketball talents however.

“He’s a leader, a winner, a hard worker,” he said. “Those are definitely qualities you’d like to have as part of your program.”

Overton, who verbally committed to USC before deciding on Washington, led Franklin to a Class 4A state title as a junior and to a third-place finish as a senior. He averaged 21.1 points, 5.7 assists, 3.5 rebounds and three steals as a senior.

Overton will start class today along with the rest of Washington’s students, and is now eligible to join the team for preseason conditioning and individual workouts.

He is one of four freshmen joining the Huskies, along with 6-9 forward Matthew Bryan-Amaning, 6-8 forward Darnell Grant, and 6-6 forward Justin Holiday.

Romar likes what his four new freshmen bring to the team.

“Another thing that I really like about all four of them, they are not spoiled in any way,” he said. “They want to come in and work. They don’t feel like the game owes them anything. They just come in and want to be a part of a team situation and give you all that they have.”

Surgery today for Huskies guard: Sophomore Adrian Oliver, who broke his nose in the Washington’s last game of the team’s recent trip to Greece, will have surgery today. The injury isn’t expected to cause Oliver to miss any team activities.