Gonzaga Basketball: Projected roster rotation and minutes for 2024-25 season

Shooting Guard

Projected starter: Nolan Hickman (20 mpg)

Bench: Dusty Stromer (12 mpg), Khalif Battle (8 mpg)

The other main guard from last season was Hickman, who posted career-high numbers as a full-time starter. In 35 mpg, the junior produced 14.0 ppg and 2.7 apg on 47% shooting from deep and 41% from deep in over five attempts. The guard had five games with at least 20 points in the second half of the year, including 22 and 20 in late wins over San Francisco. 

Like Nembhard, Hickman also played almost the entire game against the top teams, and at times that wore them down. It happened when Dusty Stromer, who was originally a starter, got benched and saw his minutes decrease. The former top-60 prospect averaged 4.8 ppg on 37% shooting but was solid from deep.

The lack of guard depth was what allowed Stromer to get extended minutes but it may have been too much, too soon. With more players joining on the wings, look for Stromer’s minutes to be more limited. Still, the talent is there, and if a sophomore breakout campaign occurs, the 6’5 guard could have a large role in the rotation.

The other natural shooting guard joining the team is Battle, one of the best pure scorers from the transfer portal. He very well could get minutes at the two-spot but that’ll depend on how both Stromer and another “newcomer” look.