ZAGS Wednesday: Spotlight on Drew Timme

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Jan 19, 2022
Drew Timme
Drew Timme, Gonzaga basketball.

Finally, the spotlight is on Drew Timme, the “Stache” and definite leader of the 2021-22 Gonzaga Bulldogs.

The question is not what can I say about Drew Timme, the “Stache,” but how much time do you have? Timme is the sensational leader of the number one team in the United States (no matter what the AP poll says), The Gonzaga Bulldogs. Coincidently, Timme is labeled as the number one player in the country. I agree. If you disagree, maybe I can persuade you. I’ll start from the beginning.

Where Timme is from

Drew Timme hails from Richardson, Texas. He attended high school at J.J. Pearce and played basketball there. Timme averaged 27.7 points, 17.9 rebounds (yes, Timme averaged almost 18 boards a game!), and 4.3 assists for the Eagles. November of his senior year, after considering all of his options, he chose to go to Gonzaga University. The rest, as they say, is history,

Zags Star

In his freshman year, Timme was a part-time starter. But they didn’t know him yet. The more Coach Mark Few used him, the power forward, the more Timme showed everyone he belonged. At the conclusion of the 2019-20 season, he made the WCC All-Freshman Team. That was just the beginning.

As a sophomore, the accolades continued. Timme was named to the Preseason All-West Coast Conference team, and he was on the watchlist for the Karl Malone Award (best power forward), which he won. That was about the time Timme came on my radar. He was a member of my Terrifying Trio along with Corey Kispert and Jalen Suggs. They were such a joy to watch last season. Undefeated for 31 games, losing only to Baylor in the NCAA Championship Game.

So far as a junior, Timme has become a member of the Gonzaga 1,000 points club and WCC Champion of the Week.

And this season, Timme, along with Chet Holmgren, Andrew Nembhard, Julian Strawther, Rasir Bolton, and the Zags deep bench, Gonzaga has enough talent to go all the way.

Power 5 teams behind them, no surprises in this year’s NCAA Tournament; the Zags are bringing home the trophy this year. That’s all Timme needs to complete his college resume. Just what he needs to take with him to the NBA.

What’s next

The National Basketball Association, that’s what is next! Timme didn’t declare for the 2021 NBA Draft with the other trio members there was something left for him to do, learn. I believe he’s learning it.

At the end of last season, I wrote a list of things I thought Timme could improve for the 2022 NBA Draft. First on that list was a jump shot and free throws. He was not very good at the free-throw line last season. Look at him now. In the game against BYU, Timme was four of four from the line. He may miss one now and again, but no one is perfect.

The other thing was defense. I felt Timme needed to block some shots and be a presence at the rim on both ends of the floor. That is what he’s doing. Instead of a jump shot, he has a hook shot. And that hook shot! It reminds me of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. So yes, Timme is ready. By the end of this season, continuing as he is, Timme will be a first-round pick!

Accolades

After Gonzaga’s victory over Texas this season, Timme was named WCC player of the week. That is just his latest. Since he arrived at Gonzaga, he’s been winning awards or on the list to win an award.

Last season was his biggest haul. Here’s the list:

  • Preseason All-West Coast Conference.
  • WCC Player of the Week – three times.
  • Naismith Trophy List.
  • All WCC First Team.
  • Sporting News All-American Second Team.
  • Sports Illustrated All-American Second Team.
  • Recorded Top Ten most single-game points and rebounds in program history at the NCAA Tournament.
  • Led his team to a WCC Championship.
  • Won the Karl Malone as the NCAA Power Forward of the Year

Related Story: Zags 360 – Week 10, a pair of great wins and COVID returns

 

Next week check out our spotlight as we start on Gonzaga’s deep bench. If you have any suggestions or players you want in the spotlight, please leave your choice in the comment section or on social media.

Have a great day. Please stay safe out there, and I’ll see you next week with another spotlight.

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