Gonzaga Basketball: Breaking down the 2019 recruiting class

Pavel Zakharov – Montverde, FL

C | 6-foot-10 | 235 lbs | No. 58 overall

Ranked as the No. 58 overall prospect in this recruiting class, there is plenty of upside surrounding Pavel Zakharov. For a 6-foot-10 big, he runs the floor at a high level and is a great finisher around the basket. He positions himself extremely well on the offensive end and uses his frame to carve out space for quick baskets around the rim. With his agility, he can rebound at a relatively high rate but will need to add some strength before excelling in that facet of the game at the college level.

On the defensive end of the floor, Zakharov’s thin frame once again comes into play. With a stronger build, he should improve as an interior presence. He may never be an elite shot-blocker but he should hold his own in the paint. Although not a true switchable big, Zakharov uses his mobility to stay in front of some switches. There is still room for development with his all-around game but there is a lot to like about his future with the team.

With that said, he may have a difficult time carving out a role right away in Spokane. The main pieces in the frontcourt look pretty clear with Tillie, Petusev, and Timme holding down minutes. Zakharov could see some playing time as a reserve center but he might have to wait a year or two before emerging as a starter. I think that one of Ballo/Zakharov will redshirt this coming season; it’s a matter of who that will be.