Gonzaga Bulldogs Guard Cade Orness to Enter Transfer Portal
Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Cade Orness (0) and guard Joaquim Arauzmoore (10) on the court during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images
Becoming the first member of the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ 2025-26 roster to move on from the program this offseason, Cade Orness announced via Instagram on Wednesday that he would be entering the transfer portal.
“This has been one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make,” Orness wrote. “There’s a lot that comes with stepping away from a special place like this, especially because of the people and relationships that have meant so much to me. But after a lot of thought and prayer, I have peace in knowing this is the next step for me in my journey through life and basketball.”
Redshirting for the past two seasons, Orness appeared in eight games with the Zags – all of them during this past season. The 6-5 guard initially made the team in 2024-25 as a walk-on but earned a scholarship before his second year at the collegiate level. Orness totaled three points, one defensive rebound, one assist, and a steal. He also shot 1-of-2 from the field and was 1-for-5 at the free-throw line in his action on the floor.
A native of Poulsbo, WA., which is just over five hours from Spokane, Orness made a name for himself at North Kitsap High School. He finished as the Vikings’ all-time leading scorer after logging 1,281 career points over his four years, coupled with 635 assists. Orness was named the 2024 Olympic League MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, helping lead North Kitsap to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Class 2A Semifinals as part of the all-state tournament first-team.
With the emergence of Mario Saint-Supéry and Davis Fogle, already one of three guards who didn’t play much last season, Orness will be looking for more consistent playing time elsewhere as he enters the portal with four years of eligibility remaining, and he could be the first of several other Bulldogs to do the same in coming days.
“To Zag Nation, thank you for your support and energy. The love I’ve felt from this community is real, and I’ll always be grateful for my time in Spokane and for being a part of this program,” Orness wrote. “Countless lessons, relationships, and experiences have come from this chapter, and I know I’ll carry them with me for life.”
