Gonzaga Basketball: Massive 48 hours looming for Bulldogs program

Gonzaga Basketball has the potential to lose all five starters this offseason. Could any of them actually return for another year?

It’s been an eventful offseason for just about every single D-I program. There are transfers in and out, NBA Draft decisions, and even on the recruiting trail for class of 2022 and 2023 prospects. That includes Gonzaga Basketball, although it’s been somewhat quiet for them in the past two months. The only thing noteworthy thing they’ve been a part of so far has been landing former five-star prospect and LSU center Efton Reid earlier in May.

But all of the attention will soon be on the Bulldogs, as there is a trio of pending roster decisions that need to be made. After the season was over, all five starters on the team declared for the NBA Draft and there was one player who was guaranteed to leave in Chet Holmgren, a projected top-3 pick in June’s draft.

As for the other four, there were varying degrees of clarity as to what they may do. The next safest bet to leave was Andrew Nembhard, a four-year starting point guard that never indicated much interest to come back. And after seeing his stock elevate in the NBA Draft Combine (potential 1st round pick), he’s definitely not coming back.

But what about the other three starters? Here’s the latest on what they may be doing and what Gonzaga can do to “replace” them on the roster for next season.

G Rasir Bolton

2021-22 stats: 11.2 ppg and 2.3 apg on 52% shooting, 46% three-point

Bolton was the most efficient guard for the Bulldogs and easily the best shooter from deep. The four-year starter has been at three different schools and finally experienced some winning after disasters at both Penn State and Iowa State.

The senior isn’t a projected draft pick and would have to fight his way to the G League to start out so he could easily come back and be the lead guard for Gonzaga next season. He’d certainly be the most experienced alongside Nolan Hickman and Hunter Sallis. He’s a ball-handler as well so his coming back gives the team not only an elite shooter but also the backup point guard. If he leaves, Gonzaga has to find another guard in the portal.

G/W Julian Strawther

2021-22 stats: 11.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg on 50% shooting, 37% three-point

At 6’7 and a capable shooter from deep, Strawther fits the modern-day NBA game and is likely to get drafted. In fact, after a solid performance in the NBA Draft Combine, the sophomore wing could be a top-40 pick. He’s still young and with plenty of potential long-term.

If he stays in the draft, Gonzaga would have to slide over the 6’6 Sallis to the wing, while also having to play some three-guard lineups as well. The team also is reportedly after Baba Miller, 6’9 forward prospect from Spain that’s taking a visit soon as well. But Strawther is a legit shooter who could have a big junior campaign as a lead option if Timme isn’t back.

C Drew Timme

2021-22 stats: 18.4 ppg and 6.8 rpg on 59% shooting, 29% three-point

The reigning WCC Player of the Year and two-time All-American is one of the best offensive post players in the country and has been dominant in the NCAA Tournament over the past two years. There’s no way to replace a 20 ppg scorer for the program but they did land Efton Reid, who is a good athlete and defender and could be a breakout star for the team at center if Timme is gone.

But if Timme comes back, that instantly makes Gonzaga Basketball a preseason top-10 team for the 2022-23 season, and with Holmgren gone, could produce even bigger numbers too. He’s not likely to get drafted but the big man could very well be done with college hoops after three years and go pro.

It’ll be interesting to see which of the three players comes back. If two of them do, the team will be around the top-10. If all three are back, the national title aspirations will start. But if all three are gone, the Bulldogs will actually have to work hard to win the WCC for another season.