BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Former Lummi Nation and Whatcom Community College standout player Trazil Lane is joining the Western Washington University Men's Basketball program as the latest addition to the 2021-22 recruiting class.
 
WWU men's basketball head coach Tony Dominguez announced the addition of the Bellingham native, who recorded over 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 blocks during his Lummi Nation School prep career.
 
The 6-3 guard earned 1B Player of the Year from the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association and Northwest Conference MVP honors during his sophomore season in 2014-15. He was a key part in his team's perfect 27-0 record and state tournament victory that year. Gov. Jay Inslee awarded the Lummi Nation squad Team of the Year for their efforts, becoming the first native team to receive the honor.
 
"WWU has always been a part of me growing up and it's close to my home, Lummi, where I can play in front of those most important to me: my family, friends and fans," Lane said.
 
His best statistical season was in 2015-16 as a junior when he posted gaudy averages of 25.2 points and 11.3 rebounds to accompany 3 steals and 4.5 blocks per game on the other end of the floor. He earned 1B Player of the Year honors for the second time following his senior season in 2016-17, and was a team captain during both of his final two high school campaigns.
 
Lane spent two seasons at Whatcom CC from 2017-19, where he averaged 17.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game over that span. He was a Second Team Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC), Northern Region selection both years and scored double-digit points in 26 of 28 games as a freshman in 2017-18.
 
"As a student athlete, I work hard to set an example for the youth but also by following my late grandpa's legacy," Lane said. "I look forward to learning from Western's coaching staff and to play for them is an honor."
 
He is currently competing in The Crawsover Pro-Am in Seattle, and has played in the past for Bellingham's former summer league basketball team, the Bellingham Slam.
 
"We are thrilled to add Trazil to our Basketball Family. He brings a great amount of toughness and maturity to our roster," said Dominguez, who enters his 10^th season at the helm of the Vikings and 27^th overall as a coach at WWU. "I have known Trazil and his family for a very long time and it I am excited to be able to have him help us on the court. He brings a lot of versatility offensively and defensively to the court. He is very athletic and possesses a high basketball IQ. With Trazil having strong local ties, from Lummi Nation, he also has a great understanding of our basketball tradition here at WWU and will be able to provide outstanding leadership abilities."
 
Outside of basketball, Lane was a tri-sport athlete in high school. In track and field, he and his team set a new state record in the 4x100-meter relay in 2016, before breaking their own record in 2017. He was also a star player for Lummi High School's football team.
 
As a senior, Lane was his high school's ASB President and the salutatorian for his graduating class.
 
Lane joins a talented 2021-22 Vikings recruiting class that includes forward BJ Kolly (Mariner High School), 6-6 forward Garrison Kepley (North Creek High School), 6-1 guard Jaden DeBoer (Valley Christian/Lynden Christian) and 6-9 forward Nic Welp (Seattle Prep/Golden State Prep). WWU has also added 6-5 forward Charlie Dietiker (Issaquah, WA).
  The batch of newcomers will join a group of 13 returning players and scheduled to make their Western debut on Oct. 17, 2021, in the annual Blue-White Scrimmage on WECU Court in Carver Gym. Their first 2021-22 regular season action is scheduled for Nov. 12-13 at the CCAA/GNAC Challenge in Carson, California, taking on Humboldt State and tournament host Cal State Dominguez Hills. WWU begins its defense of the GNAC title on Saturday, Dec. 4 hosting Simon Fraser University in Carver Gym. The complete 2021-22 WWU Men's Basketball roster can be viewed online at WWUVikings.com/21-22_MBB.