Nolan Hickman (photo by Steve Chen via flickr)
In deciding who will be in the Gonzaga Bulldogs‘ three-guard rotation, Gonzaga Bulldogs Head Coach Few will have some hard decisions to make. Sharpshooter Rasir Bolton is locked into one of the spots. That leaves two jobs open.
Few has to choose between some very talented players. First is Nolan Hickman, the player he groomed to take Andrew Nembhard’s place at the point. Then there is his newly acquired transfer star Malachi Smith from Tennessee-Chattanooga.
Next is Hunter Sallis, whose athleticism last season was like a B-12 shot in the arm when Nembhard, Bolton, or Julian Strawther needed a break. Finally, there is GU’s forgotten man, Dominick Harris. He sat out the 2021-22 season due to a foot injury and is eager to showcase his vast skill set.
6’2″, 180-pounds, Sophomore
Hickman is the one who has been touted as next in line for a Zags starting position. He’s a contender to start even if Few goes with a two guard lineup.
He can consider the last two years in Spokane as a mixed blessing. While Hickman didn’t play as much as he would have liked, the young guard learned from a pair of greats, Jalen Suggs and Andrew Nembhard.
As with many Gonzaga Bulldogs players, Hickman has NBA-level talent. He has a keen knowledge of the game, which makes him a top replacement for Andrew Nembhard.
Even as a backup last season, Hickman put up some good numbers. He played in every game, averaging 17.2 minutes and 5.1 points with a .444 shooting percentage.
6’5″, 180-pounds, Sophomore
Hunter Sallis is my pick to be the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ third guard in a small-ball lineup. The Omaha, Nebraska native is what Few needs in the second half when games tend to lull.
His athleticism matches Strawther’s, and that says a lot. Gonzaga fans can dream about a Strawther-Sallis tag team. It would be a nightmare for their opponents. With their lightning-fast moves, explosiveness, and pure athletic ability, those other teams won’t know what hit them.
Last season off the bench, Sallis averaged 13.6 minutes, 4.3 points, and shot 56.4% from the field. Sallis works hard on both ends of the floor, and he’s a hungry defensive rebounder.
6’3″, 185-pounds, Redshirt Sophomore
Harris had foot surgery last season, but there’s been no news on his return to the active roster. There have been some videos of him ramping up his activity during workouts. If his foot is ready for him to join the Bulldogs, their opponents this year should look out.
As a true freshman in 2020-21, Harris averaged 41.8% from the field and 39.1% from behind the arc. Cheering from the sidelines last season had to be difficult for the young man. No doubt, Harris can’t wait for his chance to take the court again.
6’5″, 205-pounds, Redshirt Junior
Why not finish with the new guy? Malachi Smith brings a great resume with him to Spokane.
Last season, he led his team, the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Mocs, averaging 19.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. Some fans may dismiss his results because UTC is a mid-major team.
It’s true; they are. But the Mocs are an excellent team that was number one in their conference. And the fact that he is the reigning Southern Conference Player of the Year speaks volumes about his talent.
It may take time for Smith to get up with a team like Gonzaga, but he’ll be fighting for a spot on Few’s starting lineup in no time. It wasn’t a coincidence that within days of Drew Timme announcing his return to Gonzaga, Smith committed to the Bulldogs.
On his social media, Smith posted, “I wanted to have a chance to play for a Hall of Fame coach in Mark Few, to be a part of a winning culture, for a team that has a family feel.” That’s what Gonzaga’s basketball is.
That quote shows he’s the kind of person the Gonzaga Bulldogs want on their team.
Who do you think the Gonzaga Bulldogs guards will be this season? Let us know in the comments section below.
Next up: How deep is the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ bench?