Gonzaga players in the NBA: Will Rui Hachimura have a breakout season?

There are 11 former Bulldogs on 11 different NBA teams heading into the 2023-24 season

Will Chet Holmgren win NBA Rookie of the Year? Will Zach Collins have a breakout season? Will Domantas Sabonis be an MVP candidate? 

The 2023-24 NBA season should be an eventful one for former Gonzaga men's basketball players. 

There are 11 former Bulldogs suiting up for this season — from veterans to rookies, Gonzaga's talent has permeated the association from coast to coast. Mark Few's program has excelled at preparing players for the next level, with six first-round draft picks since 2019.

Among the young pool of talent is Holmgren, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft who missed all of last season with a foot injury. After showing promise in the NBA Summer League, Holmgren has continued to impress throughout the preseason for the Oklahoma City Thunder as a legitimate contender for the Rookie of the Year award. 

Sabonis is coming off an All-NBA caliber season with the Sacramento Kings. He'll look to do more of the same in 2023-24 after signing a five-year extension with the franchise in the offseason. 

Likewise, Rui Hachimura will be an integral piece in the Los Angeles Lakers' championship aspirations after signing a three-year deal to stay in LA.

From Kelly Olynyk to Drew Timme, former Gonzaga All-American Dan Dickau previews the upcoming NBA season on the latest episode of the Gonzaga Nation podcast. 

Gonzaga Nation podcast produced by Christian Pedersen.

Gonzaga Bulldogs rank No. 11 in Associated Press Top 25 preseason poll