Graham Ike, Jalen Warley Aiming to Join Gonzaga Alums in the NBA
Already one of the better-represented programs in the NBA, the Gonzaga Bulldogs have a chance to add at least two more players to that group next season.
Buzz continues to swirl around outgoing seniors Graham Ike and Jalen Warley, who each played huge roles in the Zags’ 31-4 campaign, and now look to join 13 former Bulldogs on active NBA rosters by breaking into the professional circuit themselves.
Ike has been the busier of the two, which should be of no surprise. The 6-9 big man received third-team All-American honors last season as a dominant scorer down low. Invited to the NBA G League Draft Combine in May, Ike first took part in the three-day event in Chicago before participating in team workouts with the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Meanwhile, Warley competed in pre-draft sessions with the Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers following a season where he showcased his versatility on both ends for GU.
Potentially increasing his draft stock more since Gonzaga’s second-round exit in the NCAA tournament, Ike has intrigued NBA organizations in more ways than his offensive prowess. It was obvious that the Aurora, CO. native can score the basketball, but his ability to anchor things down defensively was a cause for concern. In Chicago, Ike got a chance to show off his measurables, where he boasted some of the biggest hands at the combine, a 7-5 wingspan, and a 9-2 standing reach. His combination of size, strength, and length has drawn physical comparisons to a slightly smaller Steven Adams, where it’s believed Ike can grow into his own with his back to the basket.
During Ike’s final year in Spokane, he took considerable steps forward with his shooting, stepping outside on occasion to knock down 33.8% of his tries from distance on 2.3 attempts per contest. Coupling his growing three-point shot with his elite efficiency inside the arc and strong clip at the charity stripe, Ike cracked the door open to the NBA with his scoring dominance. When called upon, Ike also showed growth with his decision-making, dishing out more dimes while cutting down on turnovers. The 24-year-old is polished as an offensive player, providing a high-floor option as a depth big.
As far as fit goes, the Celtics are notorious for their ability to develop players, and Ike could experience serious enhancement to his skills if he finds his way to the franchise with the most NBA titles. Learning behind Rudy Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, definitely wouldn’t hurt if Ike were selected by the Timberwolves. And the Hawks and Magic are each looking for bench help, whether it be spacing and scoring or solidifying their frontcourt.
For Warley, his lone season with the Zags showcased how valuable his abilities are to a winning on-court product. Despite being a non-threat from three-point territory, Warley thrived on a shot diet based primarily on floaters and layups. Playing within himself on the offensive end as a precise mover, cutter, and connector, there was little stopping Warley when he pushed fast breaks or quietly rotated to the dunker’s spot for easy buckets. What Warley lacked in a jumpshot, he made up for on the boards, as a quality facilitator, and a game-changer in the passing lanes, averaging nearly four steals a contest.
When Braden Huff went down in mid-January, Warley stepped in to play the four routinely, formidably defending bigger players and holding his own even while outsized. Even when he dealt with a bruised thigh of his own, Warley played through the pain for the betterment of his team, coined as a ‘warrior’ by his teammates. But even factoring in Warley’s production, grit, and experience, it can be tough for players who are complete non-factors as shooters to stick in the association. Current and recent examples point to Dyson Daniels, Andre Roberson, Matisse Thybulle, and Draymond Green, who all have varying below-average capabilities with their jumpers, building their personal games on the defensive end and bringing units together in ways other than putting the ball in the basket. Warley toyed with his free-throw routine during his tenure in college and likely will have to grow confidence in his outside shot going forward to get worthwhile playing time.
It could be why the Warriors brought in Warley, seeing a resemblance in him to Green as they bridge the final years of their lasting core while attempting to find foundational pieces for the future. And logging a down year after being obliterated by injuries, Indiana could be looking to restock their auxiliary pieces alongside Tyrese Haliburton in a quest to get back to the NBA Finals.
Former Zag Andrew Nembhard made his way into the league via the G League Combine, eventually selected by the Pacers 31st overall in 2022 – the first pick in the second round. Last summer’s draft was the first since 2020 where a Gonzaga product was not taken, making Anton Watson, who was drafted in 2024 by Boston with the 54th pick, the most recent Bulldog hearing his name called in Brooklyn. Currently, Ike seems to be on the cusp of a late second-rounder and falling out of the top 60 taken entirely, but his odds are certainly improved with five teams interested enough to see him in person over the last month.
There is even a strong pipeline in the G League route if Ike and Warley aren’t drafted in a few weeks. Last year, the Zags’ all-time leader for assists in a single season, Ryan Nembhard, went undrafted, but shortly after, he inked a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks. Then, playing well throughout the season when given the opportunity, he eventually earned a standard multi-year deal.
The path to a solidified spot in the NBA won’t be easy for Warley or Ike, but, as they displayed during their tenures with Gonzaga, the two have a lot to bring when they step on the floor.
