The work that Mark Few has done at Gonzaga over the last quarter century has been one of the most notable tales in this sport. While the Bulldogs haven’t gotten fully over the hump, this program has multiple trips to the national title game in the last decade and is a regular national contender. Few continues to bring top-level talent to Spokane and that was no different last year or this upcoming season.
Surprisingly enough, last year could certainly be considered a down year for the Bulldogs. Gonzaga finished the year just 26-9, with their least wins and most losses in over a decade. This was also the first time in a decade’s time that the Bulldogs didn’t reach at least the Sweet Sixteen, falling in the NCAA Tournament’s second round. This was also a second consecutive 2nd place finish in the WCC standings for a Gonzaga program now entering their final year in the conference.
That kind of season would gladly be accepted at nearly every school in the nation, showcasing Gonzaga’s complete strength in recent memory. The Bulldogs shed Ryan Nembhard, Khalif Battle, and Nolan Hickman, but do return a decent portion of their strength from last season. Few and his staff built another talented roster, with some returning faces, some transfers, and a key piece back from injury.
With those recent shortcomings, we can’t exactly pencil Gonzaga into the top spot in the WCC, though it’ll be hard to argue against that type of result this season. We’ll look carefully at why we consider the Bulldogs a national contender yet again with the faces on this roster and also peek at the schedule ahead. Before they depart for the Pac-12 in 2026, does Gonzaga have one more special season in them in their longtime conference?
Projected Starters
Guard – Braeden Smith (Junior)
We didn’t see Smith on the court at all last season as he redshirted with the Bulldogs behind Ryan Nembhard on the depth chart. His first two collegiate campaigns were brilliant with Colgate, averaging 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game when we last saw him two seasons ago, notching Patriot League Player of the Year honors. Whether or not he has that same level of production, Smith is a high-level facilitator who’s only improved through his season off and will run the show in Spokane.
Guard – Adam Miller (Senior)
Still hunting for that right fit, Miller joins his fourth D1 school after previous work at Illinois, LSU, and Arizona State. Miller was a full-time starter with each school and is fresh off a senior season where he averaged 9.8 points per game while making 43% of his 3-pointers. Gonzaga hopes he can be that reliable scorer with solid ball handling ability as well.
Guard – Tyon Grant-Foster (Senior)
It took several court cases, but Grant-Foster is officially eligible for the Bulldogs after previous work with Kansas, DePaul, and Grand Canyon. An explosive season with the Antelopes saw him win WAC Player of the Year in 2024 before putting up 14.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last year. Grant-Foster is an explosive athlete who affects the game on multiple levels and his presence certainly changes the potential for these Bulldogs.
Forward – Braden Huff (Junior)
During his first two collegiate campaigns, Huff was brilliant off the bench for the Bulldogs but now has a chance to play more of a starring role. He averaged 11.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per game last season and has been one of the most efficient scorers in the WCC. While Huff does have the potential to hit outside shots, he’s more known for his interior touch and ability to block shots, with great things expected in year three in Spokane.
Forward – Graham Ike (Senior)
Last year’s leading scorer is back once again as Ike returns for a third season with Gonzaga after prior work at Wyoming. He’s continued to blossom into a star for the Bulldogs, averaging 17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game last season while becoming one of the most efficient scorers in the nation. It’s one final ride for Ike, who looks to elevate his game further while leaidng this talented Gonzaga lineup.
Key Reserves
Forward – Steele Venters (Senior)
A few years ago Venters was turning into a star out at Eastern Washington with some fantastic figures, but now he’s finally back on the court for Gonzaga. He’s been an elite 3-point shooter and averaged 15.3 points per game as a junior, but that came before missing the last two seasons with injury. If he can bounce back from those injuries, Venters can be an incredible weapon as a scorer and stat stuffer for the Bulldogs.
Forward – Davis Fogle (Freshman)
A 4-star guard out of Chandler, Arizona, Fogle is a Top 40 recruit and a versatile weapon that the Bulldogs are glad to have in town. He’s got great size in the backcourt and can create for himself. While his overall game is still a work in progress, he tracks as a great shooter and offensive player who could develop into a great defender and rebounder in the years to come.
Guard – Emmanuel Innocenti (Junior)
Innocenti is an Italian wing who starred as a freshman at Tarleton State before taking more of a backseat last season with these Bulldogs. He had great contributions on both sides of the ball with the Texans and then averaged just 1.7 points and 1.9 rebounds as a sophomore with Gonzaga. All things considered, Innocenti is more than just a depth piece, as the Bulldogs love what he brings on the defensive end.
Forward – Jalen Warley (Senior)
After three decent seasons with Florida State, Warley joined Virginia but never got on court with the Cavaliers after a coaching change and now hopes to bounce back with the Bulldogs. The former 40 recruit was good for 7.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists as a full-time starter for the Seminoles two seasons ago, leaving the Bulldogs hoping he can be a great bench piece as a facilitator.
Guard – Mario Saint-Supery (Freshman)
The latest stellar international prospect, Saint-Supery is a 6-3 combo guard from Spain with high potential. He’s already starred at the international level, and despite his size is a total prospect who can knock down shots all over the court and facilitate the offense. Expect him to get significant run at both backcourt positions as he adjusts to the college game; he’s a name to know by season’s end.
Center – Ismaila Diagne (Sophomore)
We’ve barely scratched the surface on what Diagne could become as a collegiate athlete, but the 18-year old from Senegal is a 7-foot center who has showed signs of brilliance early. He didn’t get a ton of run last year with Gonzaga, averaging just 3.4 points and 1.8 rebounds per game and seeing time in just ten games, but it’s all about the potential. With his size, he could develop into a great defensive lockdown center, especially if he continues growing his feel around the rim.
Schedule Outlook
As has been the case, Gonzaga uses a strong nonconference slate to balance out life in the WCC, even with an easy home opener against Texas Southern. They immediately jump into a matchup with Oklahoma as part of the Bad Boy Mower Series and then host Creighton a few days later. A true road test at Arizona State comes on November 14. The Players Era Championship takes the Bulldogs to Las Vegas to end the month, giving them big opportunities against Alabama, Maryland, and a third opponent.
A ton of eyes will be on their December 5th matchup in Nashville against Kentucky, but that’s far from the end of the challenges. They’ll see UCLA a week later as part of the Seattle Hoops Showdown and head down to Portland to face Oregon on December 21st, playing the Ducks as part of the Northwest Elite Showdown. There’s no shortage of chances to build that resume.
WCC play begins right before New Year’s, though the Bulldogs aren’t regularly challenged by most of their league rivals. The games to circle are the matchups against Saint Mary’s and San Francisco, with those road tests both coming in the final two weeks of the season. Gonzaga could build quite the long winning streak before those matchups, eventually ending the regular season in Moraga on February 28th.
Season Outlook
Gonzaga wins games and that’s the bottom line and it’s not just against their lowly foes in the WCC. This Bulldogs team will be hungry after falling short of last year’s Sweet Sixteen and they’re leaning heavily on some new faces hopeful to make their own marks on this team in the coming weeks and months.
Getting a third year from Ike is an unabashed win long before the season even started, as he is unquestionably one of the best frontcourt players in the nation. He’s an experienced big who revolutionizes Gonzaga’s attack on both sides of the ball and let’s not act like he’s the only major threat that teams have to gameplan against.
Among those new transfers, Miller is an interesting case as he’s produced at a high level at three other power conference schools. There’ll be no fear in his game, as the Bulldogs hope he can be that reliable double-digit scorer in this backcourt. We also can’t forget about Grant-Foster, who only just was deemed eligible to play. He’s a high-level athlete who will get significant minutes this season and should be another name to watch on the offensive end.
There’s an interesting case on those two players returning to the court this season, with Venters finally healthy and Smith getting the point guard job. Venters is a monster from outside the arc and should provide an instant spark for this team. Meanwhile, despite his great success in the Patriot League earlier in his career, there’s a lot of pressure on Smith’s shoulders to step up and replicate what Nembhard was doing for this team last season.
We could go on and on about this team, talking on Huff’s third year in town or what to expect from other new faces like Fogle or Warley, but the bottom line is that this team goes way more than five deep. The Bulldogs have a deep rotation and the talent to win numerous games of note this season, but this team is going to be measured against last season. Can they go out with a bang in the WCC and make significant noise again in the NCAA Tournament?