News

In the finest tradition of Drew Timme, Anton Watson and Julian Strawther, Michael Ajayi provided some deadline day drama for Gonzaga basketball followers before withdrawing his name from the NBA draft. Ajayi’s decision hit social media Wednesday afternoon, 6-plus hours before the withdrawal deadline for early entrants. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony’s was first with the news on X (formerly Twitter) and it was quickly reposted by Ajayi.

Gonzaga’s inroads in Europe have the Bulldogs on the verge of landing a 7-foot prospect who’s spent the last two years developing in Real Madrid’s youth academy.

Noah Haaland, a former Lakeland High School standout whose father played for Gonzaga in the 1980s under Dan Fitzgerald, will join the Bulldogs as a preferred walk-on next season, he announced Sunday on social media.

Braeden Smith began his week with an official visit to Spokane and finished it by signing a financial aid agreement with Gonzaga.

INDIANAPOLIS – Trailing by one point with 25.6 seconds remaining on the game clock and 17 seconds left on the shot clock, the Indiana Pacers needed one defensive stop to give themselves a chance to steal Game 3 back from the Boston Celtics after surrendering an 18-point second-half lead.

Gonzaga’s approach was different than the others. The Zags’ depth chart was pretty much set with four returning starters, including the backcourt of seniors Ryan Nembhard and Nolan Hickman, and the addition of three transfers, including 6-5 guards/wings Khalif Battle and Emmanuel Innocenti. GU was very interested in Smith but told the Seattle native up front it wanted him to redshirt for the upcoming season with the Zags’ senior-heavy roster and then have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

One of the top midmajor guards still available in the transfer portal has elected to continue his career at Gonzaga, but it could be a full year before fans see him on the court with the Bulldogs.

Connor Griffin is adding another interesting chapter to his unique career path in the sports world. Griffin, a Gonzaga walk-on forward in 2014-15 before walking on to the University of Washington football team, has landed an assistant coaching position with the NBA Brooklyn Nets.

Jalen Suggs posted career bests in scoring average and shooting percentages, but it was his tenacious defense that often was a tone-setter for the Orlando Magic. That didn’t go unnoticed around the NBA as Suggs on Tuesday was named to the All-Defensive second team

Davis Fogle, one of Gonzaga’s top targets in the recruiting class of 2025, will be on campus in roughly a month for his official visit.

Chet Holmgren’s season with the Oklahoma City Thunder is over but he’s still collecting awards. The former Gonzaga forward was named to the NBA All-Rookie first team.