Gonzaga basketball: Analyzing 2020-21 frontcourt without Filip Petrusev
By Andy Patton
Corey Kispert
The Zags are no doubt hoping for forward Corey Kispert to return for his senior season, where he’ll be a team leader and massively important part of what could be the No. 1 team in the nation in 2020-2021.
Kispert’s name is still in the NBA draft, and he’ll likely explore his options right up until the last minute in early October.
If he does return, it seems likely the Zags will run some lineups with him at the four alongside either Timme or Ballo, which will allow true freshman Julian Strawther a chance to play minutes at the three.
Kispert is perhaps Gonzaga’s most versatile player, as he can play the 2-4 positions with ease and could reasonably handle the 1 or the 5 if absolutely necessary.
The six-foot-seven, 220-pound forward did a little bit of everything last year, averaging 13.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 0.9 steals while shooting 47.4% from the field, 43.8% from downtown and 81% from the free throw line.
He and Watson will likely the team’s starting forwards, and both are capable of playing the four – particularly against WCC opponents that lack size.
The Zags will be in a tougher position if Kispert decides to test the NBA waters, although Strawther and sophomore Martynas Arlauskas are more than capable of stepping up if necessary – proof of this team’s elite depth all across the board.