Five Former Gonzaga Bulldogs On NBA Roster Bubble Ahead of 2026-27 Season

Beyond the biggest active Gonzaga Bulldogs alums like Domantas Sabonis, Chet Holmgren, Ryan Nembhard, and Rui Hachimura, another crop of ex-Zags still seeks a solidified role in the NBA.

Whether they graduated this past spring or are several years into their professional journey, GU could see more NBA representation this season, as a few former Bulldogs found new homes while a couple others latched on with the franchises that gave them opportunities over the summer.

Even with Kelly Olynyk's recent retirement and Brandon Clarke's sudden, tragic passing, Gonzaga may remain one of the best-represented programs at the highest level of basketball.

Graham Ike, Golden State Warriors

After playing a key role in the Warriors’ Summer League title run, Ike inked a two-way deal with Golden State before training camp began. Despite going undrafted, the WCC Player of the Year made the most of his first professional opportunity, which originally came via an Exhibit 10 contract.

Across six Summer League games, Ike averaged 10.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. He has maintained solid production through his first three preseason matchups, averaging 7.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.

As a non-athletic 6-9 big, Ike’s path to playing time is predicated on clean fundamentals, defensive instincts and effort, and a reliable 3-point shot. The Warriors aren’t necessarily thin in the frontcourt, but they have plenty of age and injury concerns, including Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis. On the younger side, first-rounder and Michigan alum Yaxel Lendeborg and Gui Santos are also ahead of Ike on the depth chart.

As a vote of confidence, Green – a four-time champion with the Warriors – recently said on 'The Draymond Green Podcast', "Some of the passes this kid made yesterday out of the high post to cutters down in the lane...He is very impressive-Buy your Graham Ike stock now."

"Do not be surprised; you look up 12 years from now, and Graham Ike has carved out an incredible NBA career."

Ryan Nembhard, Denver Nuggets

Although Nembhard signed a standard NBA deal with the Dallas Mavericks in March, the 5-11 point guard has had a chaotic offseason.

During Summer League, Dallas dealt Nembhard to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a three-team trade. A little over a month later, Atlanta flipped Nembhard to Charlotte in a trade involving two veterans, before the Hornets waived him several days afterward.

However, college basketball’s assist leader from the 2024-25 campaign landed on his feet, signing a two-way deal with the Denver Nuggets shortly after Charlotte cut him loose. Nembhard joins another former Zag, Julian Strawther, in the Mile High City as he seeks a reserve playmaking role behind tenured guards Jamal Murray and Tyus Jones.

Averaging 6.6 points and 5.3 assists as a rookie last season, Nembhard showed he could produce at the NBA level. Now he looks to be more consistent with his jumper, defensively, and in handling contact and physicality.

Malachi Smith, Toronto Raptors

Smith spent the final month of last season getting notable tick with the Brooklyn Nets, as the 6-4 guard logged his fourth franchise in four years.

Like Nembhard, he earned a standard NBA deal after completing two 10-day contracts and averaged 8.3 points, 3.4 assists, and 3.3 rebounds on 48.5% shooting from the field and 43.5% from deep in 15 games.

The former WCC Sixth Man of the Year signed a two-way contract with the Raptors and is already with the organization’s G League affiliate. Toronto’s backcourt is a little crowded, complicating Smith's chances to carve out a consistent role on a team expected to contend in the Eastern Conference. But if he keeps providing his most coveted asset, 3-point shooting, Smith can contribute to the Raptors’ rotation at some point this season.

Drew Timme, Minnesota Timberwolves

Continuing to bounce around, Timme signed a training camp deal with the Timberwolves. He was with the Lakers last season, the Nets a year before that, and has also had short stints with the G League affiliates of the Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings.

In his lone preseason game with Minnesota, Timme knocked down a 3-pointer, dished an assist, and nabbed two steals in six minutes. When the three-time All-American and two-time WCC Player of the Year gets NBA minutes, he produces. Timme logged at least 10 points twice with LA last year, including a 21-point performance. And he also finished with double figures in seven of his nine games with the Nets the season prior.

As a blueprint for Ike, Timme has improved both his volume and efficiency since leaving Gonzaga, making the most of his 6-9 frame inside while keeping defenses honest on the outside.

Jalen Warley, Indiana Pacers

Warley got limited action for the Pacers during Summer League play, but gets another chance with the organization on an Exhibit 10 deal. The 6-7 guard will likely be waived and transferred to Indiana’s G League squad, the Noblesville Boom.

After not taking a single 3-pointer during his senior season at GU, Warley took three in his three games over the summer. Although he didn’t make any of them and made just two of his 14 field goal attempts overall, his ability to attack offensively will be the difference in Warley establishing an NBA career.

As he showed with the Zags, Warley is a phenomenal defender, rebounder, and connector, but those will be challenged at the professional level. With that in mind, his finishing and close-range touch will be imperative, as will becoming more comfortable with his jump shot.