Gonzaga Boosts Frontcourt With Izan Almansa as Eligibility Concerns Remain
The Gonzaga Bulldogs made a major frontcourt splash with the reported commitment of 6-10 Spanish forward Izan Almansa, setting up one of the most intriguing big man rotations in college hoops.
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Howard Woodard spotlights Almansa’s journey from Real Madrid and G League Ignite to the NBL’s Perth Wildcats and now the NCAA and how his arrival potentially bolsters Gonzaga’s depth alongside Masamba Diop and Braden Huff, and coach Mark Few’s navigation of the NCAA eligibility maze as the Zags aim to build one of the nation's most formidable frontcourts for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Well-Traveled Spanish Forward Izan Almansa Commits to Gonzaga
Continuing to sink its teeth into the international player pool, the Gonzaga Bulldogs reportedly received a commitment from 6-10 forward Izan Almansa, who, at just 20 years old, has already played at several competitive levels in his basketball career.
The Spaniard’s stops range from Overtime Elite to the Australian league to sitting in the NBA Draft green room last summer. Because of this, Almansa’s eligibility is still a question mark heading into the fall, and there’s a chance his commitment to the Zags is all for naught if the NCAA doesn’t distribute him a waiver. GU had a messy eligibility situation as recently as last year when Tyon Grant-Foster needed an injuction hearing to finally get on the court. But for the time being, Almansa is GU’s third new addition this offseason, joining Massamba Diop and Houston transfer Isiah Harwell. If he is cleared to suit up for the Bulldogs, Almansa becomes a considerable addition to the roster, bringing valuable depth behind Diop and Braden Huff in the frontcourt, which was something the team did not have last season.