A Defensive Anchor Joins the Sun Devils
Emmanuel Innocenti, a standout defender from Gonzaga, has announced his transfer to Arizona State University, citing the Big 12 conference’s competitive atmosphere and the program’s vibrant basketball culture as key factors in his decision.
During his lone season at Tarleton State, Innocenti earned All‑WAC Freshman Team honors and secured a spot on the All‑WAC Defensive Team, establishing himself as one of the nation’s most relentless perimeter stoppers.
At Gonzaga, he contributed 6.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while delivering two steals and seven points in the opening‑round NCAA Tournament victory over Kennesaw State, showcasing his two‑way impact.
The 2025‑26 season saw him record 36 steals and nine blocks, reach double‑digit scoring six times, pull down five or more rebounds in 12 games and produce nine performances with multiple steals, highlighted by a career‑high five three‑pointers against Maryland on November 25, 2025 and a six‑assist outing at Kentucky on December 5, 2025.
His breakout performance came on February 14, 2026, when he posted a season‑high 16 points at Santa Clara, and he capped the year with a season‑high six assists at Kentucky, underscoring his growing playmaking ability.
Coach Mark Few described Innocenti as an extremely tenacious and physical defender who changes the game on that end of the floor, a sentiment that aligns with Arizona State’s ambition to fortify its defensive identity in the Big 12.