The Making of a Breakout
Davis Fogle, the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ sophomore wing, is entering the 2026‑27 campaign with the belief that he can transform from a reliable role player into a genuine star.
A year ago he averaged 8.6 points on 51.8% shooting in just 16.7 minutes per game, showing an efficient offensive footprint that quickly earned him more minutes.
Coach Mark Few initially kept him on the periphery, but Fogle’s confidence and shooting efficiency opened the rotation, culminating in double‑digit scoring in two of his first three collegiate games.
His growth was evident in the second half of the season, where his assist numbers jumped from four to 36 while turnovers dropped from five to 15, hinting at a budding playmaking skill set.
The Bulldogs have bolstered their perimeter with transfers Massamba Diop and Chauncey Wiggins, but Fogle knows that to maximize that talent he must tighten his three‑point consistency, having shot just 35% last year and gone 1‑for‑5 in NCAA tournament games.
Defensively, the departure of stalwarts like Jalen Warley, Tyon Grant‑Foster and Emmanuel Innocenti places a premium on his development; he will likely see time at small‑ball four and two, tasked with anchoring the back line.
If his playmaking continues to ascend, he could assume primary ball‑handling duties, especially should the team miss out on top point‑guard recruits such as Donovan Dent or Xaivian Lee.
The ceiling of Gonzaga’s title aspirations hinges on Fogle’s ability to become the second‑leading scorer while contributing on both ends, a trajectory that could finally place the Bulldogs back among the national contenders.