Gonzaga Basketball: What happens if Malachi Smith joins the Bulldogs?

An offensive juggernaut

When you take a deep dive into Gonzaga, you’ll see that this is a team that has been very talented on the offensive end in recent memory. The Bulldogs have been #1 in the nation in offensive efficiency in three of the last four seasons, with this past year’s squad finishing respectfully at #3. When you consider the massive changes this group is undergoing, already bidding goodbye to Chet Holmgren, Andrew Nembhard, and perhaps Drew Timme, the addition of Smith would loom even larger.

Three years ago, Smith was a freshman at Wright State who was nothing more than a role player, and one of Scott Nagy’s most important guys off the bench. He made just 22% of his 3-pointers, though that figure skyrocketed after transferring to Chattanooga. These last two seasons have shown us just what kind of dynamic offensive player Smith has become, highlighted by last season’s 40% mark from outside the arc.

Gonzaga recently got Rasir Bolton back for another season, but even with his return, the addition of Smith is monumental. The Bulldogs now have a pair of talented guards who both can reliably knock down outside shots. That’s not all Smith brings to the game, as the savvy veteran guard has been reliable all over the court and will fit nicely with a quick, fiery Gonzaga offense. He’s a great finisher the can be lethal from all over the court and has a quickness that would also fit well with this system.

Smith averaged just under 18.6 points per game across both his seasons with the Mocs. If he can be the same kind of player on a much better offensive squad, then we could be talking about Smith with the same breath as recent Gonzaga stars like Jalen Suggs, Rui Hachimura, and Chet Holmgren.