The big news out of the weekend was Gonzaga losing starting guard Mario Saint-Supery to Valencia of the Euroleague. It was an unexpected departure for the Bulldogs, who have a top-20-caliber roster but many questions about their backcourt.
In fact, with 23-year-old guard commit Nathan de Sousa still not reportedly eligible, Gonzaga technically doesn’t have a true ball-handler on the roster for the 2026-27 season. There is still some hope that the program can secure another rotation piece in the coming weeks and months, thanks to pending legal rulings in favor of players seeking a 5th year of eligibility who can currently enter the transfer portal.
Here’s a look at five players to keep an eye on.Â
Tijan Saine (free agent)
2025-26 stats (Weber State): 17.5 ppg, 4.3 apg
Saine is one of the few all-league players who is still available in the portal after several months. In his lone year at Weber State, the 5’10 guard was an All-Big Sky player, shooting 45% from the field and 35% from deep on 4.5 attempts per game. He’s shown he can be a lead guard and playmaker, including multiple games of eight assists. Saine is a capable backup for the program, even with his lack of size.
Malik Messina-Moore (eligible via lawsuit)
2025-26 stats (Xavier): 10.9 ppg and 3.8 apg
While Filip Borovicanin has already committed to returning to Xavier after winning an injunction to play next season, Messina-Moore is unlikely to do so, since the team landed Tru Washington from Miami via the portal. He was second in passing for the Musketeers last season, but only shot 39% from the field. Still, with 90 career starts at three different teams and being from the West Coast, makes him an option once he’s fully eligible.
Javon Bennett (eligible via lawsuit)
2025-26 stats (Dayton): 15.8 ppg and 2.9 apg
The 5’11 guard started each of the last three years at Dayton, coming off career-high numbers, earning All-Atlantic 10 honors. Bennett shot 40% from the field and 35% from deep on seven attempts a game. He’s a proven scoring guard but isn’t much of a passer, which could be a concern for a team that’s lacking ball-handlers. But Bennett’s scoring ability would still be important.
Jalen Quinn (eligible via lawsuit)
2025-26 stats (Drake): 19.7 ppg and 3.0 apg
After three years as a role player at Loyola Chicago, Quinn nearly tripled his scoring production at Drake, leading them in scoring and shooting 46% from the field and 34% from deep. The All-MVC guard had five games of at least 30 points, including 31 in the MVC Tournament upset win over Belmont. At 6’3, Quinn has the size to play on and off the ball and is one of the top pure scorers that could be available.
Christian Henry (eligible via lawsuit)
2025-26 stats(Fordham): 10.7 ppg and 5.1 apg
Compared to his prior year at Eastern Michigan, Henry’s scoring efficiency took a big dip, shooting just 37% from the field. But the 6’3 playmaker was one of the top passers in the A-10, including a 10-assist game at La Salle. He’d be a solid facilitator for an offense, and the efficiency should jump playing alongside better frontcourt talent.
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