Coach Mark Few has guided the Gonzaga Bulldogs in assembling what many analysts are calling one of the nation’s most formidable frontcourts for the 2026‑27 campaign, blending size, skill and versatility.
The core of that frontcourt features returning big men Braden Huff and Massamba Diop, who bring complementary strengths that could redefine the team’s interior game.
Chauncey Wiggins, a 6‑10 forward, adds a lethal outside shot, having hit 39 percent from three‑point range last season, while also providing the spacing needed to free up teammates.
Braden Huff, who averaged 17.8 points on 66.2 percent shooting in the previous year, is expected to shoulder the primary offensive load, using his efficient scoring to anchor the lineup.
Massamba Diop, a 7‑1 transfer from Arizona State, brings elite shot‑blocking and rim‑running ability, projecting as a potential NBA draft prospect and a defensive anchor.
The roster could expand further with the possible addition of Izan Almansa, Nathan de Sousa and Skylar Wicks, while Alonzo Metz’s status as a designated student‑athlete permits Gonzaga to carry a sixth guard, pushing the total to 16 scholarship players.
Competing for rotation minutes are Parker Jefferson and Sam Funches, who will battle alongside the established frontcourt to determine the most effective lineups.
The backcourt also boasts a deep group that includes point guard Javon Bennett, along with Davis Fogle and Isiah Harwell, all of whom are poised to assume significant roles.
Head coach Todd Golden of the Florida Gators has kept his top three players — Rueben Chinyelu, Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh — together for three straight years, aiming to return the Gators to the Final Four, setting up a direct clash with Gonzaga’s stacked frontcourt.
Other programs with strong frontcourt cases include Texas, featuring Matas Vokietaitis, David Punch and Marcus Spears Jr; Duke, anchored by Patrick Ngongba, Joaquim Boumtje‑Boumtje and Cam Williams; and Louisville, where Flory Bidunga, Obinna Ekezie and Alvaro Folgueiras aim to make their mark.
With such depth and talent, the Bulldogs are positioned not only to dominate their conference but also to contend for a national championship, making the 2026‑27 season one of the most anticipated in recent memory.