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# Tyon Grant-Foster Cleared by NBA After Final Collegiate Season with Gonzaga
- URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/tyon-grant-foster-cleared-nba-final-collegiate-season-gonzaga-bulldogs/
- Published: 2026-06-18T22:05:37.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T06:14:24.000Z
- Author: Corbin Smith
- Tags: News, Analysis, Gonzaga Men's Basketball, Tyon Grant-Foster

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. 

Back during DePaul’s 2021-22 season opener, Grant-Foster collapsed in the tunnel during halftime, needing to be resuscitated by CPR. His condition was then diagnosed as arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, as doctors found scars and an abnormal heartbeat after the incident. Grant-Foster then suffered a second cardiac arrest three months later during a pickup game in his hometown of Kansas City. Once the defibrillator was implanted, it was inadvertently activated on Dec. 4, 2023, and once more on Feb. 20, 2025, causing Grant-Foster to be tagged as “medically unfit” by the NBA, even though he was cleared to play at the collegiate level.

The hold-up in Grant-Foster’s medical status with the league kept him from participating in the NBA Draft Combine, scouting camps, and individual or small group workouts with specific teams. Since Gonzaga’s final game, he has posted himself on social media working out in open gyms and staying loose, all while unable to do it in front of NBA brass. It isn’t likely the 6-7 wing will hear his name called early next week in Brooklyn, especially without showcasing his skills in a pre-draft atmosphere like so many other prospects, but the door is finally open for Grant-Foster to begin a professional career in the NBA after his long, excruciating road.

Proving his skillset during his final collegiate season, Grant-Foster led the Zags in blocks (38) and finished second on the team in field goal attempts (297) behind Graham Ike. In 35 appearances, he averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.1 steals in 21.6 minutes a game on 47.5% shooting. Finishing with double figures in scoring in 18 games played, Grant-Foster stepped up routinely as a sixth man for the Bulldogs throughout the year.

Grant-Foster’s impressive shot denial included outside jumpers, as his near 7-0 wingspan allowed him to get pieces of arcing basketballs when he closed out on the perimeter, while also hunting down close-range shots on chasedown blocks or when roaming off his defensive assignment. He primarily came off the bench, providing a change of pace in his relentless driving and rim pressure on the offensive end. Although his efficiency on field goals was inconsistent at best (26.2% from three-point range, 53.7% true shooting), Grant-Foster found ways to be impactful as a connector and a confident, veteran presence when things momentarily broke down for Gonzaga’s offense.

Spending time in the JUCO circuit, Grant-Foster played at Indian Hills Community College for two seasons before leveling up to Division I hoops. His previous stops also include the Blue Demons, Kansas, and GCU, the latter of which being where Grant-Foster played for two seasons following his medical emergencies. Factoring in his season with GU, he was part of four different teams that reached the NCAA Tournament, leading the Antelopes to a first-round victory over the Zags’ longtime rival Saint Mary’s in 2024, shortly after he won WAC Player of the Year. After this breakout campaign, he declared for the NBA Draft, later withdrew from the process, and returned to GCU.

Likely one of the oldest vying draftees, Grant-Foster still brings value as someone with quality tools and traits who has played in big games. There’s still a small window for him to showcase himself in front of NBA teams prior to the draft, which starts June 23, making a two-way contract or G-League deal more possible for him once the draft concludes.