A Blow to the Bulldogs' Backcourt
Gonzaga University’s basketball program is facing a significant reshuffle as it prepares for the 2026‑27 season. The Bulldogs have lost their starting point guard, Mario Saint‑Supéry, who has agreed to a four‑year contract with Spanish EuroLeague club Valencia Basket Club.
Saint‑Supéry, who averaged 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game last year, brings a blend of scoring and playmaking that the Bulldogs will miss. His move follows a stint with fellow ACB side Málaga, where he honed his skills before catching the eye of Valencia.
With the transfer portal now closed, Gonzaga cannot simply replace the Canadian‑born guard with an experienced hand. Instead, the coaching staff is turning to internal options, notably forward Braden Huff, who posted 17.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, and the newly acquired Massamba Diop, a transfer from Arizona State who will shoulder more of the scoring load.
The backcourt also sees a ripple effect from the NBA draft. Fellow European guard Jack Kayil was selected by the Houston Rockets and subsequently traded to the New York Knicks, further thinning the pool of proven talent available to the Bulldogs.
Coach Mark Few acknowledges the challenge, stating that the team will rely on a mix of youthful energy and the versatility of players like Diop. While the loss of Saint‑Supéry is a blow, the program hopes that strategic additions and the development of existing talent can preserve its competitive edge.