Carter Nilson, a 6‑5 wing who just completed his senior season at Gonzaga Prep, has pledged to join Gonzaga for the 2026‑27 campaign.
The commitment marks a continuation of a family tie to the program; his father, Mike Nilson, spent two decades in Gonzaga’s athletic department after a four‑year playing stint that culminated with a WCC Defensive Player of the Year award in 1999‑2000.
Coach Mark Few will integrate Nilson into a backcourt that is expected to rely on him as a late‑game substitute, a role created by the departures of several graduating seniors.
Nilson will be part of a freshman class that includes Luca Foster, Sam Funches and Izan Almansa, bringing the total number of first‑year players to four.
The Bulldogs will field their first squad in the newly formed Pac‑12, a transition that adds a fresh competitive backdrop to the team’s ambitions.
Legacy and Future Prospects
Mike Nilson’s long‑standing involvement with the university, including two decades of administrative work, provides Carter with a unique perspective that blends on‑court experience with institutional knowledge.
Observers note that the addition of a versatile wing could bolster depth, especially in moments when the team needs a spark off the bench.