Utah State transfer Steven Ashworth considering Gonzaga as potential destination

Ashworth started 42 games in three seasons for Utah State

UPDATE: Steven Ashworth committed to Creighton on Monday, April 17.

---

If dealing with the departure of Drew Timme wasn’t going to be challenging enough, the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ roster is rapidly being gutted, as three players have entered the transfer portal, two have declared for the NBA Draft and two others are expected to follow. 

• GONZAGA TRANSFER PORTAL UPDATES

To replace most of their rotation, head coach Mark Few and his staff have been aggressively pursuing players in the portal. They landed former Eastern Washington guard Steele Venters earlier this month, but more talent could be on the way soon. 

Among the players considering Gonzaga is Utah State transfer Steven Ashworth, who also listed Creighton, BYU, Washington and returning to the Aggies as his options for next season. Ashworth will be a senior in the fall with two years of eligibility remaining. 

“I have had a few phone calls with (Gonzaga coach) Mark Few and the coaching staff there about what my future could be like as a Zag,” Ashworth told 247sports. “It is another appealing opportunity.”

The 6-foot-1 guard was one of college basketball’s most efficient shooters last season, connecting on 43.4% of his 3-point attempts, which ranked sixth nationally. His ability to shoot off the dribble makes him an attractive option for the Zags, who graduated Rasir Bolton (38.8% from 3-point range) and saw Julian Strawther (40.8%) and Malachi Smith (50%) enter their names into the NBA Draft.  

Steven Ashworth!

Utah State stuns San Diego in overtime. pic.twitter.com/0HpsxsC7Dh

— Heat Check CBB (@HeatCheckCBB) November 18, 2022

However, Ashworth is more than just a 3-point sharpshooter, as he made 51.4% of his shots from inside the arc and 87.8% of his free throws last season. He scored at least 15 points in 20 outings, including a career-high 30-point performance in a win over Oral Roberts on Nov. 22.

Ashworth is also a high-level distributor who can serve as the lead ballhandler in a pick-and-roll heavy offense. His 2.68 assist-to-turnover ratio places him 26th in the country. 

If he joins Gonzaga, Ashworth believes his playmaking skills would help him excel in Few’s system. 

“They have brought success to that program off of skilled guards who can shoot and play in pick and roll,” Ashworth said of Gonzaga. “That is an area of my game where I felt I excelled over this last year.”

Ashworth entered the transfer portal on April 6, shortly after Aggies coach Ryan Odom left to run VCU's program. He’s hoping to find a situation with a bit more coaching stability. 

“Experiencing three coaching changes since I committed has helped me realize it is time to explore all options for myself, to ultimately find the best fit for my wife and I,” Ashworth wrote in a social media post.

In addition to Ashworth, the Zags are also targeting Creighton guard Ryan Nembhard, Cal Baptist guard Taran Armstrong and Santa Clara guard Carlos Stewart.