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Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs made two roster additions on Friday, securing commitments from incoming freshman center Parker Jefferson and Arizona State transfer guard Adam Miller.
Jefferson is a 6'10 center who previously committed to Minnesota before decommitting in late March and joining the the Zags after visiting campus this week. Miller is a 6'3 guard who began his career at Illinois before a year at LSU and two at Arizona State - including last season where he shot 42.9% from the three point line.
The pair of newcomers give the Zags ten scholarship players as of this writing, with five spots still available. However, coach Few's starting lineup and rotation is nearly locked in, barring any sudden changes, giving us a more clear look at what this team might look like during the 2025-26 season.
Below is a look at Gonzaga's projected starting lineup and rotation, plus what other moves could be made between now and November when the Zags embark on their final season in the WCC.
Projected Starting Lineup
C: Graham Ike (17.3 PPG last year)
PF: Braden Huff (11 PPG last year)
SF: Jalen Warley (7.5 PPG in 2023-24 at Florida State)
SG: Adam Miller (9.8 PPG last year at Arizona State)
PG: Braeden Smith (12.5 PPG in 2023-24 at Colgate)
The pairing of Ike and Huff in the starting lineup didn't happen until the final three games of Gonzaga's season, but it worked beautifully. It was done first as a way to counter the size of Saint Mary's in the WCC championship, which resulted in a big win for the Zags.
The team deployed the lineup again in a blowout win over Georgia in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and once more in the team's season-ending loss to eventual runner-up Houston. There's no reason these two won't start together again this upcoming season.
Warley is a point forward type who doesn't do a ton of scoring but is a great facilitator and defender, using his disruptive length and high basketball IQ to make plays.
Miller is a well-travelled guard who spent time at Illinois, LSU, and most recently Arizona State, where he averaged 9.8 points while shooting 42.9% from three last year for the Sun Devils. His history as an outside shooter is a bit spotty, but he's always been a good scorer and should fit nicely as a veteran addition for the Zags backcourt.
Smith spent last year redshirting as the point guard in waiting behind Nembhard, and the Colgate transfer who averaged 12.5 points and 5.6 assists while winning Patriot League Player of the Year will be an outstanding replacement at the one.
Bench/Rotation
6'7 wing Steele Venters (15.3 PPG in 20223-23 at Eastern Washington)
6'5 guard Emmanuel Innocenti (1.7 PPG last year)
7'0 center Ismaila Diagne (3.4 PPG last year)
6'7 wing Davis Fogle (No. 32 in ESPN Top 100 for 2025 class)
6'10 center Parker Jefferson (No. 164 in 247Sports Composite Rankings for 2025 class)
If Steele Venters is healthy the sharpshooter could be a perfect 'addition' to the Zags, after he agonizingly sat two consecutive seasons with knee and foot injuries, respectively.
While Innocenti will compete to start, ultimately he's very similar to Warley and best served as a key bench piece for coach Few and the Zags. He provides tenacious on-ball defense and while his offensive game is still developing, the potential is there.
Speaking of potential, Diagne showcased incredible upside against Santa Clara late in the regular season, and his tremendous athleticism and size make him an extremely tantalizing piece of this roster, and one who should see more playing time as a sophomore behind the two bigs.
Fogle is from Anacortes, WA and grew from 6'2 to 6'7 while in high school which ballooned his stock from unheralded high schooler to top 50 prospect. How much he plays in year one depends on what Gonzaga does in the transfer portal, but as of now he'd be at the back of Gonzaga's rotation.
Jefferson is a mobile big man prospect with plus floor vision, soft hands, and good footwork around the rim. In other words, the exact type of player Gonzaga has developed extremely well in coach Few's soon-to-be Hall of Fame tenure in Spokane. He's likely a bit player this season, if he doesn't redshirt, but if he puts his time in he could be a future star in Spokane.
What's Next
Adding Miller and Jefferson filled two key holes for Gonzaga, but with five scholarship spots remaining fans can expect at least 1-2 more additions before the season begins.
A backup point guard seems like a safe bet to be acquired at some point this offseason. That could be a veteran transfer looking for a winning program, a young transfer looking to develop - much like Smith did this past season - or even an incoming freshman, either a still uncommitted high schooler or an international prospect looking to come stateside to play college basketball.
Outside of that, Gonzaga's need for more depth on the wing is dependant on the health of Venters. If there is concern about his ability to play real minutes this season, coach Few and the staff could remain on the market for more depth at the 2-3 spots - likely targeting players who are able to knock down outside shots.
Gonzaga's three point shooting last year was the worst mark of the KenPom era, and if Venters cannot provide consistent floor spacing the team will need more than just Miller contributing from beyond the arc.
Outside of that, the roster is fairly well set heading into what should be a fun season in Spokane in 2025-26.
Continue reading...
Jefferson is a 6'10 center who previously committed to Minnesota before decommitting in late March and joining the the Zags after visiting campus this week. Miller is a 6'3 guard who began his career at Illinois before a year at LSU and two at Arizona State - including last season where he shot 42.9% from the three point line.
The pair of newcomers give the Zags ten scholarship players as of this writing, with five spots still available. However, coach Few's starting lineup and rotation is nearly locked in, barring any sudden changes, giving us a more clear look at what this team might look like during the 2025-26 season.
Below is a look at Gonzaga's projected starting lineup and rotation, plus what other moves could be made between now and November when the Zags embark on their final season in the WCC.
Projected Starting Lineup
C: Graham Ike (17.3 PPG last year)
PF: Braden Huff (11 PPG last year)
SF: Jalen Warley (7.5 PPG in 2023-24 at Florida State)
SG: Adam Miller (9.8 PPG last year at Arizona State)
PG: Braeden Smith (12.5 PPG in 2023-24 at Colgate)
The pairing of Ike and Huff in the starting lineup didn't happen until the final three games of Gonzaga's season, but it worked beautifully. It was done first as a way to counter the size of Saint Mary's in the WCC championship, which resulted in a big win for the Zags.
The team deployed the lineup again in a blowout win over Georgia in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and once more in the team's season-ending loss to eventual runner-up Houston. There's no reason these two won't start together again this upcoming season.
Warley is a point forward type who doesn't do a ton of scoring but is a great facilitator and defender, using his disruptive length and high basketball IQ to make plays.
Miller is a well-travelled guard who spent time at Illinois, LSU, and most recently Arizona State, where he averaged 9.8 points while shooting 42.9% from three last year for the Sun Devils. His history as an outside shooter is a bit spotty, but he's always been a good scorer and should fit nicely as a veteran addition for the Zags backcourt.
Smith spent last year redshirting as the point guard in waiting behind Nembhard, and the Colgate transfer who averaged 12.5 points and 5.6 assists while winning Patriot League Player of the Year will be an outstanding replacement at the one.
Bench/Rotation
6'7 wing Steele Venters (15.3 PPG in 20223-23 at Eastern Washington)
6'5 guard Emmanuel Innocenti (1.7 PPG last year)
7'0 center Ismaila Diagne (3.4 PPG last year)
6'7 wing Davis Fogle (No. 32 in ESPN Top 100 for 2025 class)
6'10 center Parker Jefferson (No. 164 in 247Sports Composite Rankings for 2025 class)
If Steele Venters is healthy the sharpshooter could be a perfect 'addition' to the Zags, after he agonizingly sat two consecutive seasons with knee and foot injuries, respectively.
While Innocenti will compete to start, ultimately he's very similar to Warley and best served as a key bench piece for coach Few and the Zags. He provides tenacious on-ball defense and while his offensive game is still developing, the potential is there.
Speaking of potential, Diagne showcased incredible upside against Santa Clara late in the regular season, and his tremendous athleticism and size make him an extremely tantalizing piece of this roster, and one who should see more playing time as a sophomore behind the two bigs.
Fogle is from Anacortes, WA and grew from 6'2 to 6'7 while in high school which ballooned his stock from unheralded high schooler to top 50 prospect. How much he plays in year one depends on what Gonzaga does in the transfer portal, but as of now he'd be at the back of Gonzaga's rotation.
Jefferson is a mobile big man prospect with plus floor vision, soft hands, and good footwork around the rim. In other words, the exact type of player Gonzaga has developed extremely well in coach Few's soon-to-be Hall of Fame tenure in Spokane. He's likely a bit player this season, if he doesn't redshirt, but if he puts his time in he could be a future star in Spokane.
What's Next
Adding Miller and Jefferson filled two key holes for Gonzaga, but with five scholarship spots remaining fans can expect at least 1-2 more additions before the season begins.
A backup point guard seems like a safe bet to be acquired at some point this offseason. That could be a veteran transfer looking for a winning program, a young transfer looking to develop - much like Smith did this past season - or even an incoming freshman, either a still uncommitted high schooler or an international prospect looking to come stateside to play college basketball.
Outside of that, Gonzaga's need for more depth on the wing is dependant on the health of Venters. If there is concern about his ability to play real minutes this season, coach Few and the staff could remain on the market for more depth at the 2-3 spots - likely targeting players who are able to knock down outside shots.
Gonzaga's three point shooting last year was the worst mark of the KenPom era, and if Venters cannot provide consistent floor spacing the team will need more than just Miller contributing from beyond the arc.
Outside of that, the roster is fairly well set heading into what should be a fun season in Spokane in 2025-26.
Continue reading...
