WATCH: Graham Ike’s Stock Rising Among Gonzaga’s NBA Draft Hopefuls
After a strong finish to his college career at Gonzaga, Graham Ike has sights set on climbing up draft boards as he jumps to the NBA with a growing list of potential suitors for his talents.
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Howard Woodard discusses the latest developments on Ike's NBA push, including several interested teams who have taken a closer look at the former Zags star, along with the latest on other Bulldogs such as Tyon Grant-Foster who are aiming for a chance in the association.
Tyon Grant-Foster Cleared by NBA After Final Collegiate Season with Gonzaga
Unlike some of his former teammates at Gonzaga in Graham Ike and Jalen Warley, Tyon Grant-Foster hasn’t received much, if any at all, NBA Draft buzz since he walked off a college court for the final time back in March.
That wasn’t without reason, as it was announced that Grant-Foster has now officially been cleared by the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel, making him eligible to compete in activities affiliated with the association. The 26-year-old notably missed two seasons during his time in college after experiencing two separate cardiac arrests, needing a defibrillator implanted before he could return to the floor for the 2023-24 season. Following his two years with Grand Canyon after his second heart issue, Grant-Foster transferred to the Zags for his final season in the NCAA, finally getting his eligibility waived during an injunction hearing one week before GU’s first game of the regular season.
Preview: 3-Seed Gonzaga Aims to Start New Sweet Sixteen Streak
When the Gonzaga Bulldogs lost to the one-seeded Houston Cougars in the second round of last year’s NCAA Tournament, it snapped the Zags’ nine-year streak of advancing to the Sweet 16.
Prioritizing different personnel in the offseason with a goal of improving defensively, GU rode a well-rounded rotation into a 30-3 record a year later, consistently sitting in the AP Poll’s Top 15 each week. Gonzaga is still a capable offense, currently playing through its Third-Team All-American big man Graham Ike. But it also boasts one of, if not the best, defensive units Mark Few has ever coached, posting the ninth-best defensive rating (93.9) in the country, per KenPom.
Aside from Ike, the team has gotten contributions from every player in the rotation. From Jalen Warley’s adaptability to Emmanuel Innocenti’s perimeter defense to Mario Saint Supéry’s three-point precision, every (Bull)dog has had its day over the course of the season. There was, of course, the bad loss to a Portland team that finished 9th in the WCC. And although the Zags’ first loss of the season was to No. 3 Michigan, the final score was 101-61, with the Wolverines being the toughest opponent GU has faced by far in a now dampened non-conference schedule compared to preseason projections.
Now a 3-seed in the West Region, what challenges lie ahead for them in the opening rounds of the tournament?
Young Stars Fuel Zags MBB to 21st WCC Title Under Mark Few
Gonzaga men’s basketball shrugged off a shaky first half to secure yet another West Coast Conference championship and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament following a 79-68 win over Santa Clara on Tuesday, March 10, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
The Zags (30-3, 16-2 WCC) had four players score in double figures, getting massive contributions from their freshman class in a critical victory. Gonzaga’s elite defense outweighed being shaky at the free throw line and outhustled on the offensive boards.
Saint Mary's Erupts in Second Half, Defeats No. 9 Gonzaga 70-59
A tale of two halves might be an understatement. Opening the final regular-season WCC matchup between rivals Gonzaga (28-3, 16-2) and Saint Mary’s (27-4, 16-2), it was the Bulldogs who brought the energy to UCU Pavilion. Graham Ike was great in the first 20 minutes, gesturing back to the Gael Force, SMC’s student section, each time he converted a field goal. Saint Mary’s was hesitant to push the ball inside, taking more shots from beyond the arc than inside it, with its star forward Paulius Murauskas as the poster player for that style of basketball.
But the continuous three-point shooting became a weapon for the Gaels in the second half, while the Zags couldn’t come up with an answer. Ike was held to only four points after halftime and also fouled out with 3:45 to play. It was Gaels guard Mikey Lewis who stole the show, scoring a career-high 31 points with seven made threes, leading a ferocious attack that helped SMC surge to a 70-59 win and clinch at least a share of the conference regular-season title for the fourth consecutive season.
“I thought our defense was excellent in the first half. To me, it was a tale of two halves,” Few said. “…They were definitely the tougher team in the second half.”
‘Took a Village’: Gonzaga Beats Santa Clara 94-86 to Reclaim First Place in WCC
Things haven’t been as smooth offensively for the Gonzaga Bulldogs (25-2, 13-1) since Braden Huff went down with a knee injury a month ago. The operation has gone stagnant more frequently, which has led to declining defensive play, fewer of the team’s three-point attempts have been falling, and outside of the Zags’ leading scorer, Graham Ike, there has been a lack of consistent production from everyone else. The overall drop-off has led to much tighter wins, not including a devastating loss to Portland last Thursday.
But in GU’s biggest game of the season on the road against Santa Clara (22-6, 13-2), several members of the supporting cast stepped up to the challenge to overcome the Broncos 94-86, snapping their nine-game winning streak and handing them their first home loss of the season to reclaim first place in the WCC.
Graham Ike Ties Career High in Corvallis, Gonzaga Rebounds With 81-61 Win Over Oregon State
After the Gonzaga Bulldogs fell to the Portland Pilots 87-80 on Wednesday night, Gonzaga Bulldogs star forward Graham Ike guaranteed that what happened in the program’s worst loss in recent memory wouldn’t happen again.
The 6-9 redshirt senior’s statement was in regards to the team’s effort defensively three nights ago, but it could be applied to a couple of other things as well. Losing to the third-worst team in the WCC could be one of them. Falling to Oregon State on the road like the Bulldogs did last season in overtime could be another.
Well, neither of those things occurred on Saturday as GU (23-2, 11-1) put together a 20-point win over Oregon State (13-13, 6-7).
Gonzaga Survives Three-Point Barrage From San Francisco, Escapes with 68-66 Win
Gonzaga has now beaten San Francisco in 34 straight games, but the Dons had an opportunity to win the latest matchup between the two teams on the final possession. How did the Bulldogs nearly allow a win to slip out of their grasp?
Gonzaga Storms Back From Halftime Deficit to Knock Off Seattle U in Overtime
Things didn’t look pretty for Gonzaga against Seattle U on Friday night, being on the ropes on its home court for most of the game. But some late heroics and clutch moments on both ends allowed the Bulldogs to pull out an overtime victory over the Redhawks.
‘Not Good Enough’: Mark Few Frustrated as Gonzaga Staves Off San Diego in 99-93 Win
Gonzaga's narrow victory over San Diego Tuesday night was a good reminder that losing focus at any point can cost you. What events unfolded that nearly led to a disastrous loss for the Bulldogs?
Gonzaga Pounds Pepperdine 96-56 to Open WCC Play
50 straight victories over another program is a different level of dominance, and Gonzaga secured the historic feat over Pepperdine in style, capturing a 40-point rout on the road in its first WCC game of the season. What stood out in the Bulldogs’ record-breaking win?
Analysis: Grading Each Gonzaga Player Prior to WCC Play
With a strong 12-1 start to the season, Gonzaga has executed as well as it could have expected after a lot of turnover in the rotation this offseason. How did each player on the roster perform during the non-conference slate?
Off to Torrid Start, Does Gonzaga Look the Part of Title Contender After 10 Games?
Through 10 games, Gonzaga has made a routine of outclassing its opponents, standing out as one of the best teams in the country with one lopsided loss as the exception. What does the ceiling look like as a March contender for the Zags this season?
Gonzaga Grabs Statement 95-85 Win Over No. 8 Alabama at Players Era Festival
For the first time so far this season, Gonzaga was tasked with closing out a game and completed the challenge, earning a huge 95-85 victory over an Alabama team ranked above them in the AP Poll. What fueled the Zags' biggest win so far?
Gonzaga Shuffles Starters in Historic 122-50 Rout of Southern Utah
In its last game before the Players Era Festival next week, Gonzaga experimented with two new starters, going on to have its largest margin of victory against a Division I opponent in program history. What did the new lineup spark in the Zags' win over Southern Utah?
Tyon Grant-Foster Records Double-Double as Gonzaga Rolls Over Arizona State in 77-65 Road Win
In a game filled with fouls and ugly shooting percentages, Gonzaga knocked off Arizona State in Tempe to move to 4-0 on the season. What unfolded for the Zags to capture their first road win of the year?
Gonzaga Bullies Oklahoma on the Boards, Cruises to 83-68 Home Victory
It might be early, but Gonzaga is doing what it sets out to do on the floor. By owning the rebounding battle and pushing the pace for high-percentage shots, the Zags put together a sizeable victory over Oklahoma at Spokane Arena Saturday night.
Sluggish Start Remedied by Bench as Gonzaga Trounces Texas Southern in Season Opener
After being initially stifled offensively, Gonzaga got in rhythm thanks to contributions from its bench, resulting in a monstrous win over Texas Southern in its regular season opener.
Preview: What to Expect From Gonzaga MBB in the 2025-26 Season
After an unfamiliar finish in March, Gonzaga looks to be a national championship contender once again. Anchored by Graham Ike and Braden Huff in the frontcourt, the other key for the Zags will be fresher, yet experienced, faces finding their strides.
Gonzaga Dominates Western Oregon at Full Strength in Final Exhibition Game
Adding Tyon Grant-Foster and Emmanuel Innoncenti into the mix, Gonzaga gave a glimpse of how it wants to play basketball this season as they cruised in an exhibition win over Western Oregon. Who stood out in the final tune up before the Zags season opener?
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