Busting Brackets
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Gonzaga Basketball: Impact of landing both Ryan Nembhard and Graham Ike

By Tristan Freeman

Feb 18, 2023; Malibu, California, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few yells to his team during the first half Pepperdine Waves at Firestone Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2023; Malibu, California, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few yells to his team during the first half Pepperdine Waves at Firestone Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Gonzaga Basketball
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Gonzaga Basketball has been one of the most consistent programs in all of college hoops in the past 20 years. They’ve been one of the most elite teams as well in the past decade, having made the Sweet 16 in each of the last eight seasons. However, if there were ever a time to be “concerned” about the Bulldogs, it would’ve been this offseason.

Gonzaga finally had to part ways with Drew Timme, the All-American, WCC Player of the Year, and all-time leading scorer for the program. He’s gone after four years, along with several other key contributors. Julian Strawther, who was second on the team with 15.2 ppg this past season, has entered the NBA Draft with intentions to stay.

Starting guard Rasir Bolton had no eligibility left, while Hunter Sallis, Efton Reid, and Dominick Harris all entered the transfer portal. That’s a lot of production gone from the roster and for a good part of the offseason, there were still plenty of holes. They did land one transfer in Steele Venters, who averaged 15.3 ppg at Eastern Washington and was named Big Sky Player of the Year.

But on Friday, the program was able to land not just one, but two huge transfer pickups in Graham Ike of Wyoming, as well as Ryan Nembhard from Creighton. They’re not only two of the top transfers from the portal this offseason but at one point, were heavily favored to go someone else.

There’s a lot to break down with these pickups and what it means for both Gonzaga Basketball and their regional rival, Arizona after losing out on this recruiting battle.