Gonzaga basketball roster outlook: Starting lineup and depth chart for 2023-24
Not many teams lost more talent than Gonzaga did this offseason, but that doesn't mean 2023-24 will be a rebuilding year for the men's basketball program. With two starters back from last season and six newcomers expected to contribute, head coach Mark Few and his assistants have managed to build another national championship contender.
Returning to Spokane are fifth-year forward Anton Watson and junior guard Nolan Hickman, who both became full-time starters and helped the Zags reach the Elite Eight last season.
New to the program is the nation's 10th-ranked transfer signing class, according to 247Sports. Gonzaga's transfer haul includes junior guard Ryan Nembhard (Creighton), senior wing Steele Venters (Eastern Washington) and redshirt center Graham Ike (Wyoming).
Freshmen Dusty Stromer and Luka Krajnovic, redshirt freshman Braden Huff and sophomore Jun Seok Yeo are also likely to debut for the Zags this season.
While Kraziness in the Kennel is still months away, here's an early preview of how Gonzaga's starting lineup and bench rotation could look like when the season begins:
Projected Gonzaga Starting Lineup
1. Ryan Nembhard
6-0 | 170 | Jr.
Photo by Jordan Prather, USA TODAY Sports
With a surname Gonzaga fans are familiar with, Nembhard chose the Bulldogs over several other high-profile suitors this offseason. He transferred to his brother's alma mater after his sophomore year at Creighton, where he averaged 12.1 points, 4.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds and helped the Blue Jays reach the Elite Eight. Many expect Nembhard to play alongside Hickman in the backcourt, providing Gonzaga with two established playmakers.
2. Nolan Hickman
6-2 | 180 | Jr.
Photo by Erik Smith, Myk Crawford
While Hickman described his first season as a starter as "average" it can't be overlooked that he was the point guard for the nation's highest-scoring team. He also improved his efficiency as a scorer, increasing his 3-point clip from 30.8% to 35.4% and his free-throw mark from 66.7% to 81.3%. The Zags need Hickman to hunt his own shot more aggressively this season, especially since the program's departing talent accounted for 63.3 points per game.
3. Steele Venters
6-7 | 195 | Sr.
Photo by Michael C. Johnson, USA TODAY Sports
The departure of first-round NBA Draft pick Julian Strawther left an opening at the wing position, which was addressed when Gonzaga signed Venters through the transfer portal. Venters, who played three seasons at Eastern Washington, is the reigning Big Sky Player of the Year after averaging 15.3 points on 45.7% shooting from the field and 37.1% from beyond the arc in 2022-23.
4. Anton Watson
6-8 | 225 | R-Sr.
Photo by Erik Smith, Myk Crawford
The Spokane native is back for his fifth and final season, where he is the oldest and most experienced player on the roster. Starting all 37 games last season, Watson averaged career-highs across the board: 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.8 steals. Quantifying his exact impact was difficult, but he was widely heralded as Gonzaga's top defender by his teammates and coaches.
5. Graham Ike
6-9 | 255 | R-Jr.
Photo by Troy Babbitt, USA TODAY Sports
There isn't a player in college basketball who can fill Timme's shoes, but the Zags brought in Ike to generate comparable levels of scoring and rebounding production. Prior to sitting out last season with a lower right leg injury, Ike registered 19.5 points and 9.6 rebounds in 2021-22, placing second in the Mountain West in both statistical categories.
Bench
Ben Gregg
6-10 | 225 | Jr.
Photo by Erik Smith, Myk Crawford
Gregg entered last season without a clear path to significant playing time, but his 3-point stroke and hustle off the bench quickly propelled him into the primary backup forward role. It appears he'll have the same responsibilities in 2023-24, providing a spark behind the starting frontcourt. Gregg's shooting prowess and mobility around the perimeter pair nicely with Ike's and Watson's interior skills.
Dusty Stromer
6-6 | 180 | Fr.
Stromer became Gonzaga's first recruit of the Class of 2023 as a 4-star wing from Sherman Oaks, California. A dynamic scorer with good positional size, Stromer averaged 17.3 points on 44% shooting as a senior, while leading Notre Dame High School to a Division I CIF State title. There's a possibility that Stromer could make a meaningful impact as a freshman, but he'll be competing for minutes in a crowded backcourt rotation
Jun Seok Yeo
6-8 | 220 | So.
Photo by Erik Smith, Mike Crawford
Yeo arrived at Gonzaga last spring as a transfer from Korea University in Seoul, South Korea. Despite not playing in games as a freshman, he has a remarkable track record internationally. At the 2021 FIBA U-19 World Cup in Latvia, Yeo averaged a tournament-high 25.6 points to go along with 10.6 rebounds, 2.1 steals, 1.7 assists and 1.4 blocks.
Luka Krajnovic
6-4 | 185 | Fr.
Gonzaga's most recent pickup from the Class of 2023, Krajnovic joined the program from Zagreb, Croatia, where he played for Bosco in the Croatian Premier League. Krajnovic averaged 17.6 points in 34 games in 2022-23, earning Most Improved Player of Year and Second Team All-League. The acquisition of Krajnovic bolsters Gonzaga's bench rotation, which is shaping up to be among the nation's best.
Braden Huff
6-10 | 235 | R-Fr.
Photo by Jesse Tinsley, The Spokesman-Review
After redshirting the 2022-23 season, Huff is ready to contribute and showcase the talent that made him Gonzaga's top high school recruit in 2022. The former Illinois Mr. Basketball is a versatile forward who can shoot 3s, effectively operate in the post and attack defenders off the dribble. Even before making his Zags debut, Huff has received lots of praise, including when Timme called him "the most annoying redshirt I've ever played against."
Colby Brooks
6-7 | 215 | Jr.
Photo by Erik Smith/Myk Crawford
While Brooks did not see the floor much aside from blowouts last season, he was remarkably efficient in his limited opportunities. Brooks shot 8-for-11 from the field and had a team-high 42.6 PER in 22 minutes across eight appearances. Nobody could maintain that level of efficiency with increased playing time, but nonetheless, Brooks is a reliable option on Gonzaga's bench.
Joe Few
6-0 | 160 | Jr.
Photo by Erik Smith, Myk Crawford
Although he missed the 2022-23 season due to an arm injury, the head coach's son is not expected to have a significant role on the team, even after making a full recovery. As a freshman, Few shot 0-for-9 from the field with nine rebounds in 21 minutes across 13 appearances.
