Gonzaga University’s men’s basketball program is shaping up for a promising 2026‑27 campaign after securing two high‑profile transfers who are immediately eligible under NCAA rules.
Eligibility Landscape
Chauncey Wiggins, a forward who spent his last season with the Florida State Seminoles, arrives in Spokane after a Georgia court ruling opened a pathway for NCAA eligibility, allowing him to suit up for the Bulldogs without restriction.
Roster Construction
The Bulldogs have filled 14 of 15 scholarship spots, adding veterans such as Braden Huff, Massamba Diop and Nathan De Sousa, while also welcoming fifth‑year guard Javon Bennett from the Dayton Flyers. High school recruits Luca Foster, Sam Funches and Carter Nilson round out a class that blends experience with fresh talent.
Shooting Revitalisation
Wiggins brings a career‑high 38.7% three‑point percentage and a free‑throw rate that climbed to 85%, helping lift Gonzaga’s overall long‑range efficiency to 33.3% last season, a marked improvement over previous years.
Eligibility Concerns
Izan Almansa, a Real Madrid prospect, remains under review for NCAA eligibility, a situation that could reshape the final composition of the roster before the season begins.
Season Opener
The Bulldogs are slated to open the season against the Purdue Boilermakers in late August, a matchup that will serve as the first test of a lineup that now boasts depth at both forward and guard positions.
With the roster nearly set, the coaching staff continues to search for a definitive starting point guard, a role that may be filled by Arden Cravalho or another emerging candidate.