Kenny Foster could be Cowboys' next steal from Colorado

“He has the chance to go down as one of the best players to play at the University of Wyoming since I’ve been here,” said Edwards, who first arrived in Laramie in 2011. “Josh Adams is in that group, so is (Justin James), so is Larry Nance Jr.

“I’m not saying he is going to make a giant splash, but his ceiling is really high.”

Foster was Colorado’s Gatorade Player of the Year last season. The 6-foot-5, 195-pounder averaged 27.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.8 blocks per game to help Smoky Hill High reach the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament.

Foster welcomes the expectations.

“It makes me feel great and makes me feel like everyone has my back and has faith in me,” he said. “It’s a sign I have done everything right. I have to make sure I don’t let them down.”

Edwards cautions that Foster may not have a significant impact immediately. He points to Adams and James for the path Foster might follow. Adams and James averaged 6.6 and 5.2 points, respectively, during their freshman seasons.

“You could see potential with those guys,” Edwards said. “He will probably do better than that, but his ceiling is really high.

“He already has a high basketball IQ, but he is always looking to grow his understanding of the game. He always wants to get better.”

Foster could be the latest in a growing line of stars UW has plucked out of Colorado.

Redshirt sophomore Hunter Maldonado (Colorado Springs) was averaging 13.8 points and 6.8 rebounds when he suffered season-ending injuries last season. He also started 19 games as a true freshman, averaging 5.3 points.

Adams (Parker) also was lightly recruited before finishing his UW career as the fourth-leading scorer in school history (1,819 points). Riley Grabau (Boulder) went virtually unrecruited, but was the starting point guard on the Cowboys team that won the Mountain West tournament and advanced to the NCAA tournament.

Unlike those players, Foster didn’t lack for offers.

“I had an offer from every school in Colorado, but I chose Wyoming because of the connection I had with the coaching staff,” Foster said. “I saw what this school and basketball program did for those guys who came before me, and it was nothing but positive.

“Knowing the program and reputation it has with Colorado kids made a huge impression on me.”

Foster doesn’t have a home on the floor yet. Part of that is because of the relatively position-less offense Edwards runs.

“We have our roles 1-5, but anybody from 1-4 can bring the ball up,” Foster said. “It’s not necessarily about getting to a certain spot and knowing that spot. It’s about playing the game of basketball, guarding the ball, stopping the ball, running up the court and getting open.”

Foster’s versatility also has contributed to his lack of a defined role.

“I think he’ll end up at the 2 or 3, but his basketball IQ and ability to handle the basketball allows him to play the 1,” Edwards said. “Playing the 4 is all about toughness. He has that, and he has a college-ready body already. He is not a thin kid, and coach (Rob) Watsabaugh and coach (Jerron) Granberry did a great job with him in the weight room during the off-season.

“I can really see him playing 1-4 because of his knowledge, understanding and ability.”