Gary Bell Jr. returning to Gonzaga as graduate assistant

Gary Bell Jr., one of the best 3-point shooters in Gonzaga history and a steady force at both ends of the court, is returning to the Zags as a graduate assistant coach.

Bell has played professionally in Poland, France and Greece after finishing at Gonzaga in 2015. Jorge Sanz will serve as video coordinator in his second season as a graduate assistant, according to a GU release.

Bell played in 135 games, starting 124, from 2012-15. He was remarkably consistent, as demonstrated by his career highs and lows in minutes (28.9 in 2012, 27.8 in 2015), points (11.0 in 2014, 8.2 in 2015), assists (2.1 in 2013, 1.7 in 2014) and rebounding (2.9 in 2014, 2.2 in 2013).

Bell stepped into the starting lineup alongside fellow true freshman guard Kevin Pangos early in the 2012 season. The pair combined for 264 starts over four seasons.

“He is one of my (all-time) favorites,” coach Mark Few said prior to Bell’s Senior Night in 2015. “He’s my kind of guy. He doesn’t crave attention or need attention. He just helps you win basketball games and he’s won so many games.”

Bell made the WCC All-Freshman team in 2012 and honorable mention in 2013. He was a second-team selection and the WCC Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 as the Zags reached the Elite Eight.

Bell is eighth in program history with 219 3-pointers and 25th on the scoring list (1,219 points). He made 41 percent of his career 3-point attempts and played in 10 NCAA Tournament games, tied for fifth in program history.

Bell was a standout at Kentridge High in Kent, Washington. He was No. 53 on ESPN’s top 60 in the 2011 recruiting class.