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Gonzaga Basketball: San Jose State transfer Brandon Clarke chooses the Bulldogs

By Lukas Harkins

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs looks on against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs looks on against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Gonzaga basketball is a prime destination for transfers. San Jose State’s Brandon Clarke has committed to play for the Bulldogs.

After making the NCAA Tournament national championship game this past season, the idea that Gonzaga doesn’t show up in March should now be eliminated. Mark Few is one of the most successful coaches in all of college basketball, and he has been incredible in the involvement of transfers and international recruits to his program.

On Aug. 30, Few received a commitment from transfer student Brandon Clarke. Initially with San Jose State, Clarke received interest from several schools who were vying for his skills. Prior to committing, Clarke had cut his list of potential transfer locations to Gonzaga, Oregon, and Washington State.

With Clarke now at Gonzaga, he will have to sit out the 2017-18 season due to NCAA transfer rules. After taking this season as a redshirt, though, Clarke will have two seasons of eligibility left for the Bulldogs.

While at San Jose State, Clarke was an instant impact player. As a freshman two years ago, the 6’7″ forward averaged 8.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game for the Spartans while being named the Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year. This was a very solid season, but he launched himself onto the scene as a sophomore.

Although San Jose State finished just 14-16 on the season, Clarke averaged 17.3 points and 8.7 rebounds, both of which ranked tops on the team. He also put up these numbers on very efficient shooting from the floor. Although not a 3-point shooter (just 1-for-3 all season), Clarke’s 59.2% field goal percentage shows how dangerous he is with the ball in his hands. That percentage was the best in the entire Mountain West Conference.

https://twitter.com/brandonclarke23/status/903071822127570944

Clarke was one of the best transfers available this summer and he will be eager to prove himself to the Gonzaga basketball faithful starting in the 2018-19 season. In fact, this redshirt year lines up perfectly for Clarke to follow directly in the footsteps of senior Johnathan Williams, who graduates after this season.

It will not be easy to please the crowds in the McCarthey Athletic Center (also known as “The Kennell”), but Clarke’s ability to fill up the score sheet with buckets should make him a favorite around campus.

Gonzaga basketball is coming off of their best season in program history (based on postseason results), and they will once again be one of the top teams in the country this year. At this point, Mark Few never needs to rebuild — just reload.

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By the time Clarke steps onto the floor in 2018-19 for the Zags, he will be an important member of a likely top-25 team in the country with conference (and national) championship hopes. This is a very important transfer for Coach Few to add at the end of the offseason as he will be a valuable replacement for Johnathan Williams after this season. Gonzaga basketball is reloading once again.