Gonzaga’s rising star Braden Huff, who helped the Bulldogs reach the Sweet 16 last season, was surprisingly left off The Field of 68’s top‑50 list of the best returning college basketball players for the 2026‑27 campaign. The omission is all the more striking given Huff’s impressive statistical profile and his role as a cornerstone of the team’s plans for the upcoming year.
During the 2025‑26 season Huff averaged 17.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 69.7% on two‑pointers and 33.3% from three‑point range. He scored in double figures in 17 of the 18 games he played before a knee injury cut his campaign short, a setback that many believe disrupted Gonzaga’s rhythm late in the season.
The Field of 68’s ranking, which is closely followed by analysts and fans alike, highlighted a dozen players who were deemed more deserving of a spot on the list. Critics argue that Huff’s combination of scoring efficiency, rebounding presence and overall impact makes him one of the most valuable returners in the nation, especially as Gonzaga seeks to rebuild after a turbulent transfer‑portal period.
What This Means for Gonzaga
Coach Mark Few has long emphasized player retention, and the decision to keep Huff, Davis Fogle and Mario Saint‑Supery in the program reflects a strategic focus on continuity. With those pieces in place, Huff is expected to be the go‑to option for the Bulldogs, shouldering a larger offensive load as the team aims to return to the upper echelon of the West Coast Conference and beyond.