Recruiting Report: Casson Rouse (2018)
After transferring into Timberline from Olympia, 6-foot-3 guard Casson Rouse is ready to showcase himself one last season with what should be one of Washington’s best teams.
The senior combo-guard is used to playing alongside a wealth of talent, he spent his spring and summer playing with Seattle Rotary 17U, and saw some recruitment start to trickle in as a result.
“Spring and summer recruitment went well. I got some Division I interest from Eastern Washington, Seattle U, and that’s it for D1. And a lot of JuCos and Division II schools have been contacting me all summer,” said Rouse.
“I’ve gotten a few verbal offers from some JuCos and D2 schools, but I know I can play at the D1 level. I just need to get stronger and faster and keep doing what I’m doing and working hard.”
If the skilled and good-sized guard does not end up with the scholarship offers he prefers, then he has no qualms with heading the JuCo route.
“I definitely could see myself doing that. A lot of guys go somewhere and then get that D1 scholarship and then move on,” said Rouse. “I could definitely see myself doing that if that’s what it comes to.”
A spirited player who brings hustle and leadership to the floor, Rouse reflected on his offseason with Seattle Rotary 17U.
“I think I played well this offseason. It was kind of different for me because I wasn’t scoring as much, I was more so just facilitating. And I think the coaches liked seeing that, because they never really saw that side of me,” said Rouse.
“I feel like I can be a leading point guard and facilitator, like an on-court coach kind of. And I feel like I can play that role, and even though it was different for me, I kind of enjoyed it.”
Now, as he heads into his first season with Timberline, Rouse says the goal is to help put the Blazers on the map.
“Playing with Eric Stevenson and Eli Morton, that’s a big three, so we’ll bring a lot of recognition down here to Lacey, Washington,” said Rouse.
“My role will be to bring the energy and bring the defense, make sure all my guys are up and playing as well as they can.”