Baylor freshman V.J. Edgecombe tried to put a man through the Earth’s crust on Monday during the Bears’ matchup with Gonzaga.
Let’s explain how we got here. To be clear, the Bulldogs embarrassed the Bears. It was never really any sort of competition. But that doesn’t mean Baylor went down without a fight. They were going to let out some frustration, even in garbage time.
As the second half ticked away, Gonzaga head coach Mark Few put his son, Joe, in to get some minutes. Unfortunately, poor Joe was on the receiving end of a steal and a fast-break transition bucket, and it didn’t end very well. Baylor guard V.J. Edgecombe moved up the court and immediately proceeded to dunk all over unsuspecting Joe Few. YIKES.
Sabonis talks about how terrifying it was to film a show for Netflix.
Sacramento Kings big man Domantas Sabonis stars in the new Netflix series Starting5, offering a behind-the-scenes look at his life.
The show is the NBA’s version of Drive to Survive (Formula 1 racing) or Break Point (tennis) and it provides a fascinating look at players around the league.
Sabonis stars alongside LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, and Anthony Edwards. He recently attended the Netflix premiere of the show in Los Angeles and spoke to us about the screening.
“It was a great experience,” Sabonis told USA TODAY’s For The Win. “I’m honored to be a part of it. I’m excited for the fans to really get a deep look. I feel like the fans know what we do on our personal Instagram stories but this is stuff like you wake up and there is a camera in your face. You’re not doing that on social media.”
These included private moments like dressing up for Halloween as Big Bird from Sesame Street as his son, Tiger Sabonis, was Cookie Monster.
Fans will also see him in his beautiful home picking tomatoes with his wife and spending quality time with his family as he reckons with what it was like to have his father Arvydas Sabonis play in the NBA.
On the court, the show captures him while he is mic’d up and actively calling out plays on both ends of the floor, setting hard screens and establishing real leadership traits.
Here is more from his conversation with USA TODAY’s For The Win. The show will premiere via Netflix on October 9.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
What were your impressions of the screening and watching yourself?
(Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Sabonis: It’s scary, you know? I’ve never done that. So I was trying to melt into my seat while we were watching. But it’s really cool. People are going to see another side of me that they do not know. They probably know me as the guy they hate on the Kings when I play against their team. They think I’m just a bruiser who plays hard every game. Now they’re going to see this husband and family side of me and it’s going to give it a different light. I think it went well. The feedback from the theater: Everyone was cheering and laughing, you know? It felt really good and it was my first experience on a red carpet and seeing a screening. It felt real and the hype was there.
What inspired you to participate in Starting 5?
Sabonis: When they asked me to participate, it was kind of a no-brainer and it was an honor to be a part of that list. I feel like a lot of people in the NBA do not know about me as much as they should. I’ve been in the league for a while now. I wanted to shine a light on Sacramento as an organization and see what’s really going on there, we’ve got a good thing going with the culture. We’ve changed the franchise the last couple of years. It’s for people to see and dive into my life and the Kings and all of that. It’s a behind the scenes look. It shows every player’s personality on and off the court and the way they play. They really talk about your body and how you take care of it. I use my body a lot so I have to take care of it more. They really show all those little details behind the scenes.
Sabonis: It was definitely the most cameras I had on me. Every day, you wake up, it’s in your face. You go to the bathroom, they’re there. You go on a family vacation during NBA All-Star Weekend, they are on the plane with you. It’s more than any person might ever think. You do not really get a break. But it was definitely a lot of fun. It took some time getting used to and then it happened smoothly. We have kids at home and we are just trying to be the best parents for our kids. Everything was just very natural. I think it was just the first couple of days we filmed, it was definitely strange. They’re there: How do you act? Do you look at the camera? On the court, we are used to having cameras all the time. Off the court, our kid made it so easy because you are basically catering them. They are your one focus and then you basically act normal.
What was something unexpected that made it in the show?
(Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
Sabonis: Inside my home and what we do daily. I’m kind of a private guy and to be able to show everybody the amount of things I do, they will wonder: How is he doing this before a game? You will see. I’m doing stuff with my kids. It works for me. I put my family first. Every day in my life, I focus on my family. So when they came, my kids were there. My son Tiger loved being in front of the camera. He was trying to be the star of the show. At first, he was a bit worried about the cameras. But then he got comfortable with them. Netflix had the same crew with them for like 90 percent of the time. So we got friendly and he knew everyone by then. Then on the court, you put a lot of time into the game. Before and after a workout, I might have two hours of treatment time. You think you’re going to go shoot for an hour. It is a block of five or six hours just for one workout. You have get your body right, mobility, all that stuff. Everyone gets to see all of the full routines and how much they do to get ready. Everyone knows LeBron comes in five hours early. But that is what he needs to get ready. It’s cool to see people get ready.
How is your story different from the other four stories portrayed in Starting 5?
(Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
Sabonis: You get to see every player’s perspective and it’s really cool how you see the difference between all five players. When you think about it, you go through all the steps with each story. Like, what Anthony Edwards is doing and having fun: That was me before I met my wife. Spending time with my friends and playing video games, then as you get older in the NBA, you see LeBron’s story. He is focusing on different things and what is important to him. I feel like we are all going through such different stages. There are a lot of funny guys out there. There are a lot of personalities. We obviously know the personalities, but this is behind-the-scenes with the loved ones. Everyone opens up when they are in their own space. If you have your boys behind you or your family by you, you are going to act your true self. The cameras get that.
How was it to have DeMar DeRozan at the premiere and how will he help your team?
(Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
Sabonis: It was awesome. He hit me up before and he was like: Let’s get some workouts in. Can I come to the premiere and support you? I was like for sure. That’s sick to have him locked in like that already. It already shows how much he cares. He is coming here to take us to the next level. He has a veteran presence. He knows what it takes to win and go far. Our issue was basically us being mentally locked in for a game. We beat all the best teams and lost to the lower seeded teams, which put us in a tough position. He has been around. He is so smart and has a high IQ in basketball. I’ve learned a lot through him just by working out with him a couple weeks in L.A., so he’s going to have that same effect on everyone. We’re all going to grow just by having him around us.
What impact will DeRozan have on the floor spacing in Sacramento?
Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Sabonis: I think it’s going to be great. Teams have their best defender. Who are they going to choose: Fox or DeMar? The other one is going to go off then and he is going to help everyone else get open. Me and Fox work great. We have it great. We are not selfish. You rock. I rock. Whatever you want. We just want to win at the end of the day. Speaking to DeMar, he is just like that. He just wants to win. He is manipulating the game to get the easiest buckets, whatever he can do to help the team. I’m very excited. We worked out a couple weeks and it’s a lot of fun.
Should the NBA consider Team USA vs. Team World in the All-Star Game?
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sabonis: That would be awesome. That would be very cool. I don’t know if we’re still going to play hard or if it will just be the same thing if it were USA versus the World. I can’t control that. I don’t know how to play in an All-Star Game. To me, those games are tough because I just play hard. I don’t know how to be just chilling out there. The fans want to see that. If that happens and it is a real game, that would be cool.
What is future of basketball in Lithuania?
(Photo by RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP via Getty Images)
Sabonis: I think it is big. We have a lot of good, young prospects. Matas Buzelis is a good rookie for the Bulls. We have a lot of good, young guys in college. Guys are on the top teams in Lithuania and that are most likely going to com9e over to college and do that experience. I feel like everyone is doing that because of NIL. I’m happy they’re going to come out. I personally took the route of going to college basketball. It’s definitely the best decision and now you can get paid to do it. So I think it’s a no-brainer.
Why did you play college basketball?
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Sabonis: I loved the idea of playing college basketball in a full arena and the live environment. But what really sold me is that in Europe, it is really hard to get gym access 24/7. I’m a worker. I like to go in and shoot any time of the night and any time of the day. Being on a college campus, you have access to the main courts around campus with rebounders available. I feel like that is what made me take the next step and get drafted and put me to where I am today. I would tell a European prospect you can always come back to your home team. Whatever you do in college, if you don’t get drafted in the NBA, the same team that wanted you will still want you in Europe. You aren’t losing anything. If anything, you’re getting a degree and learning a new language and you’re getting exposure. There are so many options for you to head over instead of just staying home.
What are your thoughts on Gonzaga in the Pac-12?
Sabonis: I’ve been hearing all of this. I think it’s insane! I grew up when it was Pac-12, WCC. Now, it’s like Big 12 and Big Ten and they’re all mixed together. It’s crazy to me. It’s definitely going to be tougher for Gonzaga. Everyone gets used to what’s comfortable with what they have. It’s definitely going to be more challenging, especially the first years. It’s going to be definitely fun to watch. I was happy, though. The thing with the WCC: You had amazing cities to go visit. So that was a plus side. Now, it’s a bit different.
Is there much of a Gonzaga brotherhood in the NBA?
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sabonis: Yeah. I’m closer to the guys closer to my age like Kelly Olynyk and Rui Hachimura and Zach Collins. But as the years go on, it’s cool seeing how many more Zags are in the NBA. When I came in the league, it was just me and Kelly. You see all these other conferences, they are all dapping each other up because there are three guys on every team. Gonzaga has finally made its way toward that. I think that just how far the program has gone.
Could the Pac-12 prioritize building a basketball superconference by adding Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s, and other non-football schools?
Monday was a chaotic day for the Pac-12 conference and its goals of expansion. First, the conference was rebuffed by four top targets in the American Athletic Conference – Memphis, Tulane, UTSA, and South Florida – who all decided to band together in the AAC.
Then, reports surfaced that UNLV was planning to do something similar with the Mountain West, instantly pulling five of the Pac-12’s most desired targets off the market.
Soon after it was reported – incorrectly – that the Pac-12 had offered a full share to the Gonzaga Bulldogs as a non-football member and that the offer had been accepted. That was quickly rebuffed, although it does sound like talks between Gonzaga and the Pac-12 will continue.
Finally, after a day of chaos, the Pac-12 extended an invitation to Utah State which was reportedly accepted – although as of this writing no formal announcement from the Pac-12 has been made. Stealing Utah State from the Mountain West could result in the Pac-12 landing UNLV after all, as the Rebels’ deal with the MWC was predicated on the rest of the conference sticking together.
With the dust settling, it’s clear the Pac-12 is left without nearly as many options as commissioner Teresa Gould had hoped. Geography is now the focus for the Pac-12, although the league likely doesn’t want to be made up entirely of former Mountain West schools.
One option the Pac-12 could lean into is building a very strong men’s basketball conference, having already added four schools that made the NCAA Tournament last year in Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, and (assuming it’s confirmed) Utah State.
The league can do that by prioritizing non-football programs, like Gonzaga, which most believe won’t cost the Pac-12 as much money to build. The conference needs at least one more football team to reach FBS eligibility, and there are plenty of good basketball programs with football that make sense for the Pac-12 to target – especially if they are willing to keep tapping into the Mountain West.
Non-Football Schools
Gonzaga is the obvious option here, the biggest college brand in the country that doesn’t have football attached to it. Located in Spokane, about 75 miles from Pullman where Washington State resides, Gonzaga is a geographic fit and immediately adds a perennial national championship contender to the Pac-12 in men’s basketball, where the Zags have made eight straight Sweet 16 appearances and two national championships dating back to 2016.
Adding Gonzaga’s longtime rival in the WCC, Saint Mary’s, makes sense as well. Although the Gaels are a far smaller school, with less resources, the men’s basketball program has consistently been one of the better mid-major programs in all of college basketball under Randy Bennett for 20 years.
The Zags and Gaels alone would be a big boost to the Pac-12’s basketball competitiveness, but the league doesn’t have to stop there. Grand Canyon is set to join the WCC in 2025-26, and as one of the premier basketball programs on the west coast, the ‘Lopes would make a quality non-football addition to the Pac-12 alongside Gonzaga and SMC. Grand Canyon is likely a lot less interested in the WCC without those two teams, and while GCU is a for profit institution which bothers some folks, there is little doubt the facilities, resources, and fanbase is at a level worthy of inclusion in the Pac-12.
Lastly, while the geography is less than ideal, the Pac-12 could make an offer to Wichita State out of the American. The Shockers aren’t a great fit in the AAC without football, and would very likely jump at the opportunity to join a basketball league with Gonzaga, San Diego State, Grand Canyon, St. Mary’s, and others.
Football Schools
Despite getting raided by the Pac-12 already, the Mountain West still has two programs who made the NCAA Tournament last year in Nevada and New Mexico.
Nevada is not a top target for the Pac-12, although in a scenario where the league is prioritizing basketball it could make sense if they thought they could bring both Nevada and UNLV into the league.
New Mexico is the other successful men’s basketball program in the Mountain West, although like Nevada the football side of things would serve only to bring the competitiveness of the league down.
Verdict
A 14-team league with 10 football programs may not be exactly what the Pac-12 was hoping for, especially with those 10 football teams all coming from the Mountain West outside of Oregon State and Washington State, but the league would still be an above average football conference while boasting a formidable lineup of men’s basketball programs on par with some of the strongest conferences in the sport.
This 14-team basketball league features 10 teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season: Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s, San Diego State, Utah State, Grand Canyon, Boise State, Colorado State, Washington State, New Mexico, and Nevada, while UNLV won 20+ games as well.
Is it a perfect solution for the Pac-12? No, but it gives them a niche in the second biggest revenue generating sport in the country while also putting together a decently competitive – albeit unexciting – football league as well.
Once the Pac-12 is set with eight or more football programs, adding Gonzaga to the conference is a no-brainer.
The Pac-12 conference added four programs from the Mountain West earlier this month in San Diego State, Boise State, Colorado State, and Fresno State – just the tip of the iceberg of what projects to be a flurry of conference realignment moves over the next few months.
Eight teams is the Pac-12’s minimum to qualify for FBS eligibility in 2026, so that remains commissioner Teresa Gould’s priority. For now.
But once the conference has that box checked, could adding marquee non-football brands – namely the college basketball powerhouse Gonzaga Bulldogs – be next up on the priority list?
We look at the pros and cons of adding Mark Few and the Zags to the Pac-12:
The Pros
Gonzaga is the most recognizable college brand that does not have a football team. UConn and Villanova have (admittedly bad) football programs, while Gonzaga is more notable than other Big East powers like Marquette, Creighton, and St. John’s.
The data backs this up, as Gonzaga hired prominent consulting firm Navigate to help make a case for power conference inclusion last year. Navigate found Gonzaga has among the highest TV power metrics in the entire sport, and estimated the program is worth $15 million – a staggering number for a non-football school.
Speaking of Navigate, the Pac-12 also hired the consulting firm to help them make expansion decisions…and one would be remiss to not point out the connection there and what it could mean for a future partnership.
Geographically, the Pac-12 and Gonzaga are a perfect fit. Located in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga is about 75 miles from Pullman where Washington State resides, and less than 450 miles from both Boise and Corvallis.
Gonzaga’s status as an elite basketball program is backed up by results on the hardwood. Few has led this team to the NCAA Tournament every single season since 1999(!) and the Zags have been to the Sweet 16 eight straight seasons – an incredible feat for a small Jesuit Catholic school in the WCC.
Lastly, the lack of football does have a benefit for the Pac-12, as it likely makes Gonzaga more cost effective for the conference. If the Pac-12 can land Gonzaga for less money than it would cost to add UTSA, it would be silly not to.
The Cons
Roughly 85% of all media revenue from college athletics comes from football. Adding a program (or programs) that don’t add value in that area always comes with risk, even if the cost is less prohibitive.
If the Pac-12 feels there are football brands out there that add value to the conference and appeal to the potential media partners then it makes far more sense to make them a priority over a non-football entity.
Gonzaga is also a very small school with a small student and alumni population, compared to other targets, and is located in Spokane – roughly the 70th biggest media market in the country.
Additionally, as reported by John Canzano on Locked On Zags, there are some Pac-12 officials who are concerned about Gonzaga’s long term stability if and when Mark Few retires. Gonzaga has poured a ton of money into on campus facilities, and it has resulted in improved performances in baseball, soccer, volleyball, and other Olympic sports, but Few’s retirement remains a source of concern for some decision makers in conference expansion.
Lastly, there’s a question of whether Gonzaga would even accept an invite to the Pac-12. The Bulldogs have been in rumors with the Big 12 for quite a while, and even the Big East has been in the mix at times.
Neither the Big 12 or Big East look particularly likely for the Zags at this point, or perhaps ever, but Gonzaga could also opt to stay in the WCC where basketball is king and they are getting a sweet deal with regards to revenue share and a double bye in the conference tournament.
Verdict
Gonzaga to the Pac-12 was always a conversation, even during the previous iteration of the conference, but now that the league is a bit more desperate to fill out a competitive group of teams and get back to power status, it feels like an obvious solution.
Getting squared away in football, possibly by adding Memphis, Tulane and a third team – maybe UTSA, UNLV, or South Florida – is no doubt the priority for Gould and the Pac-12.
After that? Gonzaga, possibly paired with another non-football program like Grand Canyon, St. Mary’s, or Wichita State, should be high on the list.
The Big 12 paused conference expansion talk with UConn, just like they did one year ago with the Gonzaga Bulldogs.
The UConn Huskies and Big 12 mutually agreed to pause conversations about having the back-to-back men’s basketball national champions join the conference, according to a press release from commissioner Brett Yormark.
As commissioner, it is my responsibility to explore a variety of value-creating opportunities on behalf of the Big 12. Following detailed discussions with my conference colleagues alongside UConn leadership, we have jointly decided to pause our conversations at this time. We will instead focus our attention and resources to ushering in this new era of college athletics.
UConn athletic director David Benedict released a statement as well, seeming to contradict the idea that the decision was mutual:
“Undoubtedly, many of you have followed recent media reports about the Big 12’s renewed interest in UConn as a conference member. It is always our objective to put UConn in the very best position for future success, so we did engage in exploratory dialogue with the Big 12. Ultimately, the Big 12 determined that it will pause on conversations about membership expansion.”
If this story looks familiar, it is because the sequence of events is eerily similar to what happened almost exactly one year ago between the Big 12 and the Gonzaga Bulldogs out of the WCC.
Gonzaga and the Big 12 engaged in conversation, Yormark publicly made it clear he believes Gonzaga is a value add to the conference, the talks seemed to progress quickly, and then ultimately fell apart with enough backlash from voting parties who wanted to first focus on integrating the eight new programs added over the past two years before adding again.
Does this mean the Big 12 will never accept UConn, or Gonzaga? Not necessarily, but there are enough dissenters within the conference presidents and athletic directors to keep this from happening in the short term.
Yormark tried and failed to make Gonzaga a member in 2023, getting feedback that the timing was too soon, and tried again a year later hoping an even bigger brand – in a more appealing market coming off back-to-back national titles and with a football program, albeit a bad one – would generate the necessary votes to expand.
No go once again, and now the wait continues for both the Zags and Huskies.
Andrew Nembhard led Team Canada to a victory over Spain with a dominant stretch in the fourth quarter.
It’s been a great year for Andrew Nembhard.
The Indiana Pacers guard first made headlines with an outstanding performance in the NBA playoffs, averaging 14.9 points and 5.5 assists including a pair of monster performances against the Boston Celtics when Tyrese Haliburton was sidelined.
The former Gonzaga guard parlayed that success into a lucrative extension with the Pacers, as well as a spot on Team Canada’s Olympic national team alongside star guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray.
On Friday he proved exactly what he can bring for Canada’s medal hopes, ensuring the country would go undefeated in group play with an outstanding performance in a win over Spain.
Nembhard finished with 18 points, second on the team behind Gilgeous-Alexander, while tacking on two assists and one steal.
He was a menace particularly out in transition, scoring back-to-back fastbreak layups in the fourth quarter and swinging momentum back Canada’s way at a critical juncture.
Nembhard was not just getting after it in transition, he hit a highly contested three point shot as the shot clock expired and finished 8-10 from the field. His facilitation skills opened up Canada’s offense, and proved he belongs on the floor for this team in close matchups.
Canada advances to the quarterfinals as they look to medal against strong competition in France, Serbia, and the United States.
The UCLA Bruins men’s basketball team has finalized an agreement to face the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The two teams who met in the Final Four will now play each other in what should be a must-watch showdown whenever they play.
“We’re excited to take on Gonzaga in the first-ever college basketball game at Intuit Dome. This is a great opportunity for our young men to play under the bright lights in a brand-new venue down the road in Inglewood. I know that the Clippers’ organization is looking forward to moving into this new arena, and we are very grateful to partner with Gonzaga for the opportunity to play there. With shifting landscapes and conferences in college basketball, I really believe it’s important for us to preserve some of these strong West Coast matchups. UCLA versus Gonzaga is a win-win for our sport, and we want our Bruin fans to pack Intuit Dome for what should be an exciting game.”
It should be a thrilling showdown between two top teams in the 2024-2025 season, and Cronin knows the importance of the matchup.
Gonzaga and UCLA will square off at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles in December and again in 2025 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs and UCLA Bruins will continue what has been among the best non-conference rivalries in college basketball for at least the next two seasons, agreeing to a pair of matchups starting in the 2024-25 season.
The Zags will face UCLA at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on December 28, before meeting in Seattle at Climate Pledge Arena on December 13, 2025.
It will be the tenth and eleventh all time meetings between these two powerhouse programs. Gonzaga has won seven of the last nine, including four in a row – although three of the games have been decided by less than 10 points. Last year Gonzaga held off UCLA in the fifth place game of the Maui Invitational behind 32 points from Anton Watson.
Prior to that, Julian Strawther hit a three pointer with 7.2 seconds left to send UCLA packing in the 2023 Sweet 16, and before that Jalen Suggs hit a half-court buzzer beater in the 2021 Final Four – propelling the Zags to the national championship game which they lost to Baylor.
This year’s event has been named the West Coast Hoops Showdown, and will be the first college basketball game played at the Intuit Dome, which will be the new home of the Los Angeles Clippers when it opens this August.
Former Gonzaga big man Drew Timme dropped 19 points for the Sacramento Kings in NBA Summer League, could he make his debut this season?
Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs are producing NBA talent on a consistent basis. The Zags have seen at least one player selected in each of the past four NBA drafts and currently boast more players in the league than every college basketball program not named Kentucky, Duke, Michigan, UCLA, Arkansas, and Kansas.
However, the program’s all-time leading scorer, Drew Timme, is not among them. Timme had an unbelievably prolific career in Spokane, earning consensus All-American honors three times, twice winning WCC Player of the Year, along with two NCAA All-Region nods, an All-Tournament nod, and WCC Tournament MVP.
Despite the accolades, the 6’10 big man went undrafted in 2023 and landed with the Milwaukee Bucks, spending his first professional season with the Wisconsin Herd in the G-League – where he averaged 9.5 points and 5.7 rebounds in 25 games before suffering a foot injury.
Timme is back healthy and playing in the Summer League with the Sacramento Kings, and he put together a vintage performance on Monday in Las Vegas – dropping 19 points on 8-12 shooting with five rebounds and four assists.
Praise poured in for the big man, including on the broadcast when former NBA coach P.J Carlesimo discussed why he believes Timme fits in the modern NBA.
“Drew Timme’s not a good basketball player, he’s an excellent basketball player,” Carlesimo said. “That’s one of the reasons right there, the way he can pass the ball and it’s become so important for so many teams. You don’t have to be Nikola Jokic, but we showed those guys before, Vlade Divac up on the elbow making the passes. Drew Timme does a lot of things well. It’s hard for me to imagine there’s not a place somewhere among the 30 teams for this young guy.”
P.J. Carlesimo is working the Sacramento-Utah game right now for ESPN. Just had this to say about #Gonzaga's Drew Timme in the second half. pic.twitter.com/ICTcczKAyz
Timme’s improved passing gives him more offensive versatility than just being a back-to-the-basket low post scorer – a role that is very out of style in the current NBA. His ability to operate in the high post, set screens, make good reads with the basketball, and hit open cutters will translate at the next level, even if he has yet to prove he can consistently hit shots from the three point line.
Timme’s main issue is on defense, where his lateral mobility and vertical athleticism are subpar – enough so that he is a liability as a switch defender and underwhelming even in drop coverage.
Still, the offensive bag is enough for him to merit serious consideration for any NBA team in need of more frontcourt depth, and if he keeps putting together highly efficient performances in Summer League he should land a two-way contract or at least an invitation to training camp ahead of the upcoming NBA campaign.
Gonzaga lands third transfer portal commitment from Tarleton State guard Emmanuel Innocenti.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs active transfer portal offseason continued on Wednesday with a commitment from Tarleton State guard Emmanuel Innocenti.
Innocenti confirmed his commitment on Instagram, becoming Gonzaga’s third portal addition after Michael Ajayi (Pepperdine) and Khalif Battle (Arkansas).
Innocenti is a 6’5 guard from Italy who started 32 games as a freshman for the Texans, helping lead Tarleton State to a second place finish in the WAC.
Innocenti averaged 6.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting 46.8% on twos and 30.8% from three.
With three years of eligibility remaining, Innocenti is a developmental addition for Mark Few’s team. The Zags return four starters from last year’s Sweet 16 team in Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman, Ben Gregg, and Graham Ike, with Ajayi expected to round out the starting lineup.
Battle, sophomore Dusty Stromer, junior Steele Venters, and redshirt sophomore Braden Huff will likely round out the rotation, with Innocenti limited to garbage time while he learns Gonzaga’s system and preps for a bigger role in 2025-26 when Nembhard, Hickman, Battle, and Ajayi are all out of eligibility.
