NCAA Basketball: Analyzing grad transfer Charles Minlend’s finalists

Gonzaga Bulldogs

Gonzaga is yet another WCC team in this final seven. It is certainly intriguing that Minlend is at least contemplating the idea of staying in the same conference, but I still think it is more likely that he moves to a true high-major league. While Gonzaga is obviously a national powerhouse and should be treated as such, the rest of the WCC isn’t quite on the same level as the Big Ten or the ACC, for example.

Still, while head coach Mark Few is obviously familiar with the grad transfer guard considering he has had to gameplan for him over the past few seasons, the Zags seem to be set in their backcourt. That is a relatively recent development, though, as the Bulldogs only added grad transfer guard Aaron Cook just a day before Minlend cut his list. It is possible that Gonzaga is no longer seriously engaged in this recruitment.

Gonzaga is already flat-out loaded with talent for this coming season as the potential preseason No. 1 team in the country. Admon Gilder and Ryan Woolridge are gone in the backcourt but a few highly-touted newcomers are already joining the mix alongside returners Joel Ayayi and Corey Kispert. This includes Cook, as well as freshmen Jalen Suggs and Dominick Harris.

I’m not sure there is a major need for Minlend at Gonzaga. While he is certainly talented and could find a spot in the rotation for this national title contender, he wouldn’t be one of the top options.