6 former Gonzaga players in 2024 NBA playoffs

Chet Holmgren helped lead the OKC Thunder to the No. 1 seed in the West

Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

The 2023-24 NBA season was a notable one for former Gonzaga men's basketball players in the association.

Domantas Sabonis put up historic numbers once again amid one of the lengthiest double-double streaks the league has ever seen, and despite being snubbed an as All-Star, he’ll be deserving of MVP votes for the second-straight season.

Chet Holmgren made some history of his own as he displayed a rare blend of versatility on both ends of the floor, resulting in never-before-seen numbers as a Rookie of the Year candidate on the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. 

Jalen Suggs emerged as one of the league’s peskiest on-ball defenders, helping bring a resurgence to the upstart Orlando Magic. Kelly Olynyk continued his career renaissance, while Andrew Nembhard took another step forward as a promising young guard on one of the most explosive offenses in the NBA. Rui Hachimura helped put the Los Angeles Lakers in a position to compete in the postseason, while Corey Kispert was one of the lone bright spots on a team that didn’t have much hope of reaching the playoffs when the season started.

As the dust settled on the regular season, six of the 10 former Zags are set to compete in the postseason. Could this season end with a former Gonzaga player hoisting the NBA championship trophy for the first time in over a dozen years? Here’s a look at where each player and their team stands in the playoff picture.

CHET HOLMGREN - OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

Chet Holmgren / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

The Thunder (57-25) were the surprise story of the NBA, going from a rebuilding organization to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with the second-youngest roster in the league. Much of that had to do with MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s brilliance, though Holmgren was an X-factor on both ends of the floor. The former No. 2 overall pick averaged 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and shot 53.0% from the field, including 37.0% on 3-point attempts.

Holmgren’s contributions on offense and defense haven’t been done before. According to Stathead, he’s the first player in NBA history to finish a season with at least 200 assists, 190 blocks and 129 3-pointers made. 

The Thunder are riding high behind its star guard and young 7-footer. Experience might be the only trait the team lacks heading into the postseason.

JULIAN STRAWTHER - DENVER NUGGETS

Julian Strawther / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Nuggets (57-25) are contending for back-to-back championships with Nikola Jokic putting together another MVP-caliber season. Despite losing some notable pieces from last season’s title team, Denver made franchise history with its most wins in a season since the 1975-76 campaign as a member of the ABA.

Julian Strawther played a limited role as a rookie, appearing in 50 games and averaging 10.9 minutes of action in those appearances. The 6-foot-7 wing put up 4.5 points and 1.2 rebounds while shooting 36.9% from the floor and 29.7% from distance. The numbers and small usage indicate Strawther’s impact on the regular season wasn’t to the level of what some Gonzaga fans might’ve hoped for, but the postseason could be a different story for the Las Vegas native.

The playoffs can be a launching pad for some players. Strawther’s teammate Christian Braun worked his way up Denver’s rotation after strong performances during last season’s playoffs. With each play magnified, Strawther could have a real opportunity to play an important role during a close playoff game. 

JALEN SUGGS - ORLANDO MAGIC

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After two seasons riddled by injuries, the former No. 5 overall pick put together his best season as a pro to help the Magic (47-35) earn the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference and finish with the franchise’s most wins since the Dwight Howard era.

Suggs is a legitimate All-Defensive team pick with 1.4 steals per game (ninth in the NBA) and the 19th-best defensive rating (110.4) in the league. His active hands show in his ability to effectively defend the pick-and-roll and disrupt passing lanes. Those traits were also a big reason why Orlando allowed the fourth-fewest points and ranked No. 3 in defensive efficiency.

Along with his efforts defensively, Suggs’ increased efficiency from beyond the arc makes him quite the intriguing 3-and-D player. The 6-foot-5 guard shot a career-best 39.7% on 5.1 3-point attempts per game. 

Suggs will make his playoff debut against the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers.

ANDREW NEMBHARD - INDIANA PACERS

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Nembhard was a major contributor on the league’s top scoring offense this season as a decisive playmaker and improved defender off the bench for the Pacers (47-35). His overall numbers took a slight dip from his rookie season, though Nembhard was more efficient shooting the ball and managed to cut down on the turnovers.

The former second round pick averaged 9.2 points, 4.1 assists and 2.1 rebounds while shooting 49.8% from the field and 35.7% from deep. Nembhard played 68 games and made 47 starts, averaging 25.0 minutes of action overall. According to basketball-reference, his plus/minus per 100 possessions on the court was +2.1 — a major improvement from his -6.2 per 100 possessions on the court last season.

With Tyrese Haliburton’s emergence as one of the NBA’s best young talents, Nembhard is poised to make his playoff debut against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the No. 3 seed Milwaukee Bucks. 

RUI HACHIMURA - LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Rui Hachimura / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

The Lakers (47-35) flipped the switch once Darvin Ham inserted Hachimura into the starting lineup. After a rocky start, LA won 20 of its final 32 games with the 6-foot-8 forward on the floor more often, earning the purple and gold a spot in the play-in as the No. 8 seed. As a starter, Hachimura averaged 15.9 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 57.6% from the floor and 44.4% from downtown.

When healthy and available, Hachimura has been a difference maker over the last two seasons with the Lakers. His performance in last year’s playoffs against the Grizzlies helped propel a run to the Western Conference finals. Ham hasn’t utilized the 26-year-old’s skillset to the max on a consistent basis, but perhaps the strong finish to end the regular season could carry over into the play-in tournament.

With a more cohesive lineup around superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers could be a tough out as the No. 7 or No. 8 seed in the playoffs. 

DOMANTAS SABONIS - SACRAMENTO KINGS

Domantas Sabonis / Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Kings (46-36) are in position to make back-to-back playoff appearances following another historic season from Sabonis, who finished as the NBA’s rebounding leader once again.

Sabonis averaged 19.4 points, 13.7 rebounds and 8.2 assists, making him the first player in league history to put up those types of numbers since Wilt Chamberlain. A common theme this season, Sabonis put himself in rarified air with 77 double-doubles — the most since Moses Malone in 1978-1979 — and 26 triple-doubles, the sixth-most in a single season in NBA history. He was also one of just six players to start in all 82 games this season.

Despite Sabonis’ unmatched consistency, along with De’Aaron Fox’s career-high 26.6 points per game, Sacramento will need to defeat the Golden State Warriors and either the Lakers or New Orleans Pelicans in the play-in tournament to secure the No. 8 seed.