Saoirse Downs
The Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team has a rich history of success, with 24 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament. However, in 2024, their postseason aspirations were in jeopardy as they risked missing out on the tournament. The team has since bounced back, with top recruits choosing to commit to the program and players transferring to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. The Bulldogs continue to be a force in college basketball, with a strong 2025-26 campaign and highly-touted high school players expressing interest in the program.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Season | 2025-26 |
| Team Name | Gonzaga Bulldogs |
| Recent Games | Gonzaga Bulldogs vs Houston Cougars, Gonzaga Bulldogs vs Kentucky |
| Players | Tyon Grant-Foster, Steele Venters, Graham Ike, Mario Saint-Supery, Ryan Nembhard, Adam Miller, Sam Funches, Nolan Hickman, Ethan Harris, Johnathan Williams, Rem Bakamus, Gene Roebuck, JRob Croy |
| Coaches | Mark Few |
| Recruiting | Four-star forward Ethan Harris will take an official visit to Gonzaga |
| Ranking | Ranked outside of the top 25 by FOX Sports' John Fanta |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Tyon Grant-Foster's transfer to Gonzaga
Tyon Grant-Foster, a 6-foot-7 senior, has committed to joining the Gonzaga Bulldogs for the 2025-26 campaign. Grant-Foster announced his decision on Instagram, choosing Gonzaga over other potential suitors like USC guard Desmond Claude.
Grant-Foster is a highly touted transfer from Grand Canyon University, where he played for two seasons. Prior to that, he played for Indian Hills Community College from 2018-2020, Kansas in 2020-2021, and DePaul in 2021-2022. Grant-Foster's career faced a setback when he collapsed at halftime during a game for DePaul, causing him to redshirt the 2022-2023 season while recovering from cardiac arrest. After a successful recovery that included two heart surgeries, he joined Grand Canyon University and helped lead them to two straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
Grant-Foster was the 2024 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Player of the Year, averaging 20.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game during the 2023-24 campaign. Even in a "down year" by his standards, he still averaged 14.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game in the 2024-25 season. His athleticism, scoring ability, and length make him a valuable addition to the Gonzaga Bulldogs.
Grant-Foster will need to be cleared by the NCAA for a seventh year of college eligibility to play for Gonzaga. If granted, his addition will significantly bolster the Bulldogs' roster and provide them with a veteran presence, as Grant-Foster is an experienced player with a proven track record of success.
Dominating the Court: Strategies to Drop 20 Points in Basketball
You may want to see also
Explore related products
2024 NCAA Tournament berth
The NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments, also known as "March Madness", are highly anticipated events in the college basketball calendar. The selection process for the 2024 NCAA Tournament involved choosing 68 men's and 68 women's teams to compete in the tournament.
The selection committee first decided on the 31 teams that automatically qualified by winning their conference tournaments. The remaining 37 teams were selected by the committee and received at-large bids. These at-large teams generally come from the top conferences, such as the ACC, Big 12, Big East, and SEC. Many of these teams are "on the bubble," with borderline chances of making it to the tournament, and they don't know their fate until Selection Sunday.
The selection committee considers various factors when choosing the at-large teams, including predictive computer rankings like ESPN's BPI, Sagarin, and Pomeroy Ratings. They also take into account road and neutral court performances, conference strength, non-conference strength of schedule, and records against other selected teams.
The 2024 NCAA Tournament saw 68 teams compete, with 32 qualifying through automatic bids from conferences and the remaining 36 as at-large selections.
While the specific details of Gonzaga's qualification for the 2024 NCAA Tournament are unclear, it is evident that the process involves a combination of automatic bids, conference rankings, and selection committee decisions.
Dismantling Your Basketball Goal: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Recruiting top high school players
Gonzaga has been successful in recruiting top high school basketball players in recent years. The Bulldogs are known for their ability to attract top talent, and their 2025-26 roster includes several highly-rated recruits.
One of their notable recruits for the 2025-26 season is Tyon Grant-Foster, a senior guard who transferred from Grand Canyon University. Grant-Foster is a productive player, averaging 14.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 steals across 27.5 minutes in 26 appearances. Another key addition is Adam Miller, who will be playing for his fourth program in five years, having previously played for Illinois, LSU, and Arizona State. Miller averaged 9.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while starting 30 games with the Sun Devils in 2024-25.
Looking ahead to the 2026 recruiting class, Gonzaga is in a strong position. Sam Funches, considered one of the top centers in the 2026 recruiting class, has Gonzaga on his narrowed list of 10 schools. Additionally, four-star forward Ethan Harris, a highly touted prospect, has arranged an official visit to Gonzaga. The Bulldogs are also in the mix for Luca Foster, a four-star and top-45 prospect in the class of 2026, further demonstrating their appeal to top high school players.
The Gonzaga men's basketball program has actively laid the groundwork with several top recruiting targets in the 2026 and 2027 classes. They have offered a spot to JRob Croy, a four-star combo guard and a rising senior at Polytechnic High School in California. Gene Roebuck, a 6-foot-5-inch wing from California, is another highly-touted high school player who has drawn interest from the program.
The success of the Gonzaga Bulldogs in recruiting top high school basketball players can be attributed to the coaching staff's ability to identify and attract talented individuals. The program's reputation and track record of developing players likely play a significant role in their recruiting success.
Understanding Basketball Scoring: Points Per Game
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Steele Venters' injury
Gonzaga men's basketball player Steele Venters has had a string of injuries that have kept him off the court for multiple seasons. In November 2023, Venters suffered a torn ACL during a practice session a day before the season opener against Yale. He had to sit out the entire 2023-24 campaign due to this injury.
In August 2024, Venters suffered another setback when he tore his left Achilles tendon, which forced him to miss the 2024-25 college basketball season. This injury came just as Venters was preparing to return to the court after his ACL injury.
Despite these injuries, Venters remained involved with the Gonzaga basketball team. He is known for his shooting prowess, making 50.7% of shots inside the arc, 40.3% of 3-pointers, and 84.6% at the foul line in 84 career games at EWU. Venters was anticipated to have a significant impact on the Gonzaga team, stretching the floor and creating space for his teammates.
As of the latest reports in 2025, Venters has been fully cleared for basketball-related activities. He has not played any games for Gonzaga in the past two seasons due to his injuries, and his last action was in the 2022-23 campaign, where he averaged 15.3 points and 2.3 three-pointers made per game.
Transporting Your Basketball Pole: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Former players' careers
Gonzaga has produced a number of talented basketball players who have gone on to have successful careers in the NBA and beyond. The school's representation in the NBA is growing year by year, with 11 players on active rosters at the start of the 2023-24 season, making it one of the top schools for NBA players.
One of the most notable Gonzaga alumni in the NBA is Kelly Olynyk, who played for the Boston Celtics for the first four seasons of his 10-year career. Olynyk then joined the Miami Heat and helped them reach the NBA Finals in 2020. He currently plays for his sixth team, the Toronto Raptors, and averages 10.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists for his career. Another standout is Domantas Sabonis, a two-time All-NBA power forward known for his playmaking and defense.
Other former Gonzaga players in the NBA include Johnathan Williams, who signed with the London Lions in England; Ryan Nembhard, who plays for the Dallas Mavericks; and Nolan Hickman, who also had an opportunity with the Mavericks in the NBA Summer League. Additionally, Rem Bakamus, a former Gonzaga player, has transitioned into coaching as an assistant coach at Texas Tech.
Gonzaga has also produced NBA players through the draft process. In recent years, Gonzaga had six players drafted over a 28-year span, including Dan Dickau in 2002, Ronny Turiaf in 2005, and Adam Morrison in 2006. The school's success in developing NBA talent has continued, with nine of its former players selected in the NBA Draft since 2013.
Basketball Shirt Colors: What's Your Favorite?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Gonzaga Bulldogs have appeared in the NCAA Tournament for 24 consecutive seasons.
Some notable players on the Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball team include Steele Venters, Tyon Grant-Foster, Graham Ike, Mario Saint-Supery, and Ryan Nembhard.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are actively recruiting highly-touted high school players for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. They have also had recent success in the NCAA Tournament and are expected to perform well in the upcoming 2025-26 season.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs' success can be attributed to their ability to attract top recruits, effective coaching, and the development of a strong non-conference schedule. Their continuity and chemistry as a team have also contributed to their success.
