Gonzaga Basketball: Bryan Alberts to transfer from Zags
By Connor Hope
After two seasons playing for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, redshirt Junior guard Bryan Alberts has decided to transfer.
In addition to losing four key players from this year’s Final Four team, Gonzaga Head Coach Mark Few is also losing Bryan Alberts, who announce his decision to transfer.
Alberts, who completed his redshirt sophomore season, plans to complete classes over the summer and will be immediately eligible to play as a graduate transfer. With two years of eligibility left, his immediate contribution will make him a valuable target.
Alberts began the 2015-2016 season as a starter for the Bulldogs, before losing his spot to senior Kyle Dranginis. Alberts, who averaged 11 minutes as a freshman, had his play time cut to five minutes this year after Gonzaga’s depth pushed him out of the main rotation.
His experience and development off the Gonzaga bench can provide solid mid-major teams with an instant leader and key role player. Alberts also spent the last two summers playing for the Netherlands national basketball team, gaining valuable international experience.
He is a solid combo guard, with the length to defend well on the perimeter and the vision to make key passes off of the drive. While his shooting percentage has dropped, he has the ability to score at a level that will make him valuable to any team.
Alberts should play a similar role to Silas Melson’s with the Bulldogs this year. He can come off the bench and start the offense, but it best-suited slash and shoot. Whoever recruits him needs to instill the confidence in his ability that he seemed to lose as his minutes decreased.
Alberts has two clear choices when it comes to choosing his destination. He can play a solid role on a competitive team or start for a team that may not be ready to advance past the conference tournament.
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If Alberts joins a competitive team as a role player off the bench, he will get plenty of minutes and could earn himself a starting position. This is a smart move for Alberts, who would continue to struggle finding minutes in Gonzaga’s increasingly crowded backcourt.