NCAA Basketball: Ranking the top 25 team backcourts for 2022-23 season

While I have returning wing Julian Strawther classified as a “forward”, Gonzaga did bring back a guard that will count in Rasir Bolton. After coming over from Iowa State in the year prior, the 6’3 guard averaged 11.2 ppg and 2.3 apg for the Bulldogs last season.

Where Bolton shined was both in transition and from three-point range, where he shot 46%, good for one of the best in NCAA Basketball. He had 10 games of at least 15 points, which is pretty good considering the other offensive options that were on the roster last season.

Another elite shooter joining Bolton is Malachi Smith, a transfer from Chattanooga and SoCon Player of the Year after averaging 19.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, and 3.0 apg last season. He also did it on 49% shooting from the field and 41% from three-point range. Some of his top individual performances include 36 points on 14/17 shooting at Murray State, 28 points and 10 rebounds versus VMI, and a six-game stretch where Smith averaged around 25 ppg in the middle of the season.

There is also a trio of sophomore guards with high promise that are due for breakout campaigns. Hunter Sallis is a 6’6 guard who was a tremendous defender as a freshman and with an improved shot could be an NBA Draft pick. Dominick Harris missed last season with an injury but also has a reputation of being a good defender and could be an impact player in the rotation.

The key will be point guard Nolan Hickman, who’ll be taking over for Andrew Nembhard. The last time Gonzaga didn’t have “elite” PG play was maybe Josh Perkins’ freshman year and even that may be a stretch. Hickman, a former five-star prospect and traditional point guard and playmaker, has star potential and if that happens, the Bulldogs could have the best backcourt in NCAA Basketball. But having a Conference Player of the Year like Smith as a “Plan B” means that they’re in good shape no matter what.