Busting Brackets
Fansided

Gonzaga Basketball: 10 key storylines to watch for 2020-21 season

By Tristan Freeman

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 18: Gonzaga Bulldogs t-shirts are draped over stadium seats prior to the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at McCarthey Athletic Center on December 18, 2019 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 18: Gonzaga Bulldogs t-shirts are draped over stadium seats prior to the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at McCarthey Athletic Center on December 18, 2019 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 11
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 04: Jalen Suggs #1 of Minnehaha Academy Red Hawks (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 04: Jalen Suggs #1 of Minnehaha Academy Red Hawks (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Introduction to Jalen Suggs

The journey for Gonzaga to get its first-ever five-star high school commitment onto campus was an anxious one for the fans. Once the Bulldogs were viewed as the favorites to land the dual athlete, other programs opted to stay away, leaving Minnesota and them to fight for his services. And since the Gophers can’t land a top-tier in-state recruit to save their lives, Gonzaga was the big winner.

But not everyone was convinced that Suggs would even end up on campus this past Summer. He was one of a few names connected with the NBA G League, where several five-star prospects ultimately made the move. Yet Suggs stayed firmed with the Bulldogs and joined the team, now the starting point guard for the upcoming season.

Make no mistake though, he’s only around for one season, as he’s set to be a lottery pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. The dynamic playmaker may be the second-best pure athlete to ever join the program (Brandon Clarke) and there’s no guard in the WCC that can guard him one-on-one. Suggs could very well average 18 and 8 (could be more but being conservative due to the collective depth) and being Conference Player of the Year.

Depending on what happens in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, Suggs could cement his legacy in his lone year, while upping his own draft stock. Gonzaga can use his success as another selling point for future five-star prospects, including a former high school teammate of Suggs at Minnehaha.