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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Wyoming Cowboys forward Graham Ike Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /

Gonzaga Basketball finds its replacement for Drew Timme in Graham Ike

Losing Timme already was a big blow but with Efton Reid entering the portal and former top-60 prospect Kaden Perry still dealing with a long-term back issue, Gonzaga didn’t have a single true big man on the roster. That would also include Anton Watson, who still has a 5th-year decision to make.

There were a few top-tier centers in the transfer portal but the Bulldogs weren’t clear with any of them until suddenly being linked with Graham Ike. For a while this offseason, he was rumored to be going to Providence but instead becomes the projected starting center for the WCC program.

Ike missed this past season with a lower-leg injury but in his lone full season at Wyoming, averaged a team-leading 19.5 ppg and 9.6 rpg on 51% shooting from the field. The 6’8 frontcourt player had nine games of at least 25 points, including a 35-point and 14-rebound game against Denver.

When healthy, Ike is the second-best post scorer in the entire transfer portal, with Hunter Dickinson being the only better offensive player. Ike’s production should translate from the Mountain West to the WCC well and will have an even better supporting cast going forward. He and Nembhard will be a nice pick-and-roll combo next season as well and Gonzaga can keep the same kind of offensive system that features post-plays.