WSU head coach Kaleb Canales has hired Steve Zamarripa as director of player development, the first-year coach told the Standard-Examiner.

Zamarripa comes to WSU after a decade working in the NBA. Most recently, Zamarripa was an assistant coach for the Texas Legends, the G League affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks, from 2023-26. He was an assistant video coordinator for the Mavericks from 2020-23.

Zamarripa also worked as an assistant coach for the Mavericks during summer league action.

WSU’s nonconference schedule is also nearing completion.

The Wildcats have added a home game with Tarleton State, which is WSU’s fourth against DI opponents. WSU will welcome the Texans to Ogden on Nov. 24, giving the team three home games in the week leading up to Thanksgiving.

WSU hosts Lincoln (California) on Nov. 20, Tarleton on Nov. 24 and Cal State Northridge on Nov. 25. The latter two play WSU back-to-back, but it’s currently unclear if Tarleton and CSUN will play each other for a true multi-team event.

The Wildcats also host Utah Valley (Nov. 7) and Washington State (Dec. 9) in the Dee Events Center this season. Weber will hit the road to play BYU, Utah, Utah State, Oregon State and Cal State Fullerton.

This gives WSU up to two more possible games to add. Weber is making the full in-state sweep this season, with two conference games each against Southern Utah and Utah Tech.

The Wildcats and Texans are 1-1 all-time against each other. WSU won 94-79 in 2021 at home, and Tarleton returned the favor on the 2022 return trip, 75-65. Tarleton State will arrive with first-year head coach Eric Haut, formerly a Utah State assistant.