Gonzaga Bulldogs: Big Roster Turnover for 2023-24
Turnover is a constant in college athletics. This year the Gonzaga Bulldogs have to replace three starters.
On a good college basketball team, it’s no surprise that the top players will try to make a name for themselves at the next level. At this point, 2022-23 Gonzaga Bulldogs stars Julian Strawther, Drew Timme, and Malachi Smith are candidates to be drafted later this month. If not, at least signed for summer league tryouts.
Rasir Bolton is out of eligibility, and if he decides to continue as a basketball player will have to do so overseas.
Three other players who would have been big parts of the team decided to transfer out. Center Efton Reid and guard Hunter Sallis are headed to Wake Forrest, while guard Dominick Harris transferred to WCC rival Loyola Marymount.
So who will play for the Gonzaga Bulldogs this fall?
Holdovers
Three of the Zags top seven scorers are still with the team.
Ben Gregg
Big man Ben Gregg gradually worked his way into Mark Few’s rotation over the last two years. In 2023-24, he’ll be counted on to be an inside presence.
Anton Watson
He’s back! After declaring for the NBA Draft, Anton Watson withdrew at the May deadline. Watson will be the undisputed leader of this team. His scoring and rebounding numbers should take a big jump as he’s the only proven starter, and Timme is no longer there.
Nolan Hickman
Nolan Hickman struggled in his first season as a starter. He looked uncomfortable running the point. With Ryan Nembhard now on the team, Hickman will take on a combo guard role.
Inbound Transfers
Three exciting inbound transfers offset the Gonzaga Bulldogs portal losses.
Ryan Nembhard
One Nembhard was good; a second should be twice as nice. His ability to run an offense has been on full display over the last two years at Creighton. It’s a skill the Gonzaga Bulldogs lacked last year.
Graham Ike
Now that Timme is out of the picture, incoming Wyoming transfer 6-9 Graham Ike will compete with Gregg to be the starting center (or they could play together when Watson is off the court). A leg injury led to him being a medical redshirt last season, but the year before, Ike was an All-Mountain West First Team Selection, with 19.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.
Steele Venters
2022-23 Big Sky Player of the Year Steele Venters also transferred to GU. The 6-7 wing can replace some outside scoring the Zags lost from the departed Bolton and Strawther. During his three seasons at Eastern Washington, Venters shot over 40% from three-point range.
The Unfamiliar
The Gonzaga Bulldogs need more than six players to run out on the court. At least one player from this trio needs to step up.
Kaden Perry
After playing in eight games as a freshman, Kaden Perry missed all of last season with a back injury. Drew Timme recently praised the Battle Ground native for his toughness and his defense.
Braden Huff
Six-nine Braden Huff didn’t get into any regular season games as a freshman in 2022-23. There is room for the power forward to make an impact this year.
Dusty Stromer
The lone member of this year’s Gonzaga recruiting class is Dusty Stromer. The 6-6 small forward is a four-star recruit who could supply scoring off the bench.
Wild Card
Smith already said goodbye to ZagsNation and announced his intentions to stay in the draft even though he is unlikely to be selected. If he does go undrafted, Smith has until 5 pm on June 26 to return to college.
Gonzaga Bulldogs fans should hold their breath on this one. A sixth year of college is a big ask.
How do you think the 2023-24 Gonzaga Bulldogs roster is shaping up?