With the conclusion of the 2024-25 college basketball season, Gonzaga faces a significant roster shake-up as four starters have exhausted their eligibility. Additionally, reserves Dusty Stromer and Jun Seok Yeo have entered the NCAA transfer portal, creating a busy offseason for head coach Mark Few and his staff.
Replacing key contributors like Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman, Khalif Battle, and Ben Gregg presents a challenge. However, the team will see reinforcements in redshirt guards Braeden Smith and Jalen Warley, who are set to take the court for the Bulldogs in the 2025-26 season.
Gonzaga has already been linked to some of the top names in the transfer portal, including Iowa’s Owen Freeman and North Dakota’s Treysen Eaglestaff. Now, New Mexico’s standout point guard, Donovan Dent—who earned Mountain West Player of the Year honors—has reportedly drawn interest from Gonzaga, as well as Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina, Tennessee, UCLA, Texas Tech, and USC, per Sam Kayser of 24/7 High School Hoops.
Dent took his game to new heights as a junior, putting up impressive numbers: 20.4 points, 6.4 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per contest. He played a pivotal role in leading the Lobos to a first-place finish in the Mountain West and a major upset over No. 7 seed Marquette in the NCAA Tournament’s opening round.
With head coach Richard Pitino moving on to Xavier, Dent is exploring new opportunities for his final year of college basketball. Gonzaga, needing a replacement for its departing guards, could be an ideal landing spot.
Both Dent and Smith excel as primary ball-handlers, each averaging over five assists per game last season at their respective programs—New Mexico and Colgate. However, Gonzaga’s system often thrives with two playmakers on the floor, making Dent a seamless fit.
Dent’s strength lies in his ability to attack the rim and draw fouls, but he also boasts a strong perimeter game, shooting 40.9% from beyond the arc. Standing at 6’2″, he is a dynamic three-level scorer with solid defensive instincts. If he chooses Gonzaga, he would likely emerge as a top candidate for WCC Player of the Year while bolstering the Bulldogs’ backcourt.
