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[The Spokesman-Review] - Hooptown serves up its HOF tribute to GU's Dan Fitzgerald: 'The last of the basketball cowboys' | Dave Boling

Dave Boling — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:34:12 GMT

Jamie Dudley provides a moving example of how recognition for Dan Fitzgerald’s legacy at Gonzaga has dwindled over time.

A point guard in the pre-Cinderella days at Gonzaga in the early 1990s, Dudley recently met a well-known GU guard from some 20 years later, a four-year starter who earned All-American mentions.

The younger Zag asked Dudley: “So, you played for Fewie (coach Mark Few), right?”

Dudley: “No, I played for Fitz.”

The younger man asked. “Who’s Fitz?”

Dudley was stunned, and saddened.

“He had no idea,” Dudley said. “And it just broke my heart.”

The pointed reality: Whole generations of Zag fans, passionate as followers can get, share a diminishing awareness of this hugely important contributor to GU basketball history.

This week, however, the late Daniel John Fitzgerald is being inducted into the Hooptown USA Hall of Fame.

It’s not only warranted, but absolutely mandated. You couldn’t dare call yourself “Hooptown USA” without stepping up and reminding the newer residents of your fantasy realm of the full folklore and mythology of one of your early progenitors.

Fitzgerald laid the groundwork and footings for the program, not only elevating it from the threshold of extinction to an NCAA Tournament berth. But, to more durable effect, he had the foresight to hire the two young assistants who succeeded him and took the program to the top and kept it there.

If there’s a consistent message from this Hall of Fame honor, and from the comments of the aging core of disciples still benefitting from Fitzgerald’s enduring influence, it’s this: Yes, the Zags have become an incredible phenomenon, and the subsequent coaches and players and administration have earned every bit of it.

But … Just Don’t Forget Fitz.

In addition to the passing of time, part of the fading image may be the result of Fitzgerald’s ignominious departure. As athletic director, Fitzgerald landed the Zags on probation in 1997.

The findings seem laughable in the current unregulated state of college sports.

As hard as they tried during a six-month investigation, NCAA officials could find no illicit payments to a player, no instances of self-enrichment, and no competitive advantage gained.

They found that Fitzgerald took money that the program earned (roughly $200,000 over a 16-year period) and put it in an account where he could get to it to help the athletic programs – outside of university control.

Consequently, the probation included no limitations on recruiting, scholarships or postseason appearances.

Fitzgerald said at the time: “If I made some procedural errors, I’m a big boy and I’ll face the tune. But I’ll tell ‘ya what, money didn’t go to players and there’s no yacht in my back yard.”

Fitzgerald was loved by so many, and so respected for his integrity, that the ruling came as a shocking rebuke.

“If unethical conduct is trying to hang on to an understaffed and underfunded program, OK,” he said. “I made a very bad mistake in judgment.”

Going back to the Greeks, nothing was more dramatic than a hero with a flaw. In most cases, it came down to hubris. A strong suspicion is that Fitzgerald was convinced he could more efficient direct those funds than the institution could.

And he probably was right in that regard, but wrong by strict rule interpretation. Did he deserve to be punished? Sure. But not erased.

He had been so highly regarded that NCAA Rules Committee chairman George Raveling appointed him to the committee in 1995.

Raveling, at the time, said that he saw Fitzgerald as “the last of the basketball cowboys.” He evoked an image of Gary Cooper in High Noon, doing the right things for all the right reasons, always true to his beliefs.

Such was Fitzgerald’s image – larger than life, a defiant underdog, a charismatic weaver-of-tales. He contained multitudes, with an enormous personality spectrum that could range from intelligent and curious, hilarious and wise, to unbendingly tough and unrelentingly demanding. But over-riding it all, and cementing his place in the hearts of his players, was his deep, deep caring for others.

The problem with lost personalities over time is they’re not making new Fitz stories. So, we will revive a few of the million old ones to serve today’s purpose.

Shortly after Fitzgerald died of an apparent heart attack in January, 2010, at age 67, his value to the program was still fresh in the minds of key figures in Gonzaga history.

An obvious early Fitzgerald milestone was his successful recruitment of John Stockton, who would become...

[Locked On: Locked On Zags] - LEGENDS: Gonzaga's Top 10 NBA Zags RANKED! | Who JUST missed the cut? And who joins in the future?

Locked On Zags — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 20:21:03 GMT

NBA Draft week brings fresh excitement—who are the greatest Gonzaga Bulldogs to ever hit the league? Andy Patton ranks the 10 best NBA Zags, spotlighting ico...

[Locked On: Locked On Zags] - AWESOME: Gonzaga opens next season with a GREAT matchup #zagsbasketball

Locked On Zags — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:25:51 GMT

Gonzaga Bulldogs set their Pac-12 era in motion, reportedly hosting New Mexico State in their first home game—a pivotal matchup as the team builds one of its...

[The Spokesman-Review] - Breaking down draft week scenarios for Graham Ike and Gonzaga's other NBA hopefuls

Theo Lawson — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:32:59 GMT

Framed NBA jerseys take up most of the real estate on the navy concrete wall that runs between the press conference room and home locker room inside a back hallway at McCarthey Athletic Center.

The jerseys, accompanied by photos and name plates, represent every former Gonzaga player to lace up their sneakers in an NBA game – from high lottery picks like Chet Holmgren and Jalen Suggs to second-round success stories like Andrew Nembhard, Robert Sacre and Ronny Turiaf.

Not to mention, roughly a dozen former Zags who worked their way onto an NBA court despite draft-night disappointment.

Drew Timme and Ryan Nembhard, two of the players who meet that criteria, were the most recent additions to the NBA wall. Next in line will be Malachi Smith, who toiled away in the G League for two seasons before getting his shot with the Brooklyn Nets last year on a 10-day contract.

Those stories are especially relevant this week because, based on intel and analysis from various NBA mock drafts, Gonzaga isn’t projected to have a player selected for the second straight year. It comes on the heels of a four-year stretch where Gonzaga had at least one selection, and seven total players drafted, from 2021-24.

The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft begins at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at the Barclays Center with the second round following on Wednesday at the same time. ESPN is televising both days of the event.

A small group of Gonzaga players including All-American forward Graham Ike will likely have their phones nearby Wednesday night when the second round finishes to see which teams call to offer two-way contracts, Exhibit 10 deals or NBA Summer League invitations.

Ike’s name hasn’t surfaced in recent mock drafts, but the forward is widely considered to be one of the 15-20 next best prospects available, suggesting the 23-year-old should be a candidate to a land a two-way contact that could allow him to split time between the NBA and G League.

The 6-foot-9 Ike landed at No. 69 on NBA Draft big boards from both ESPN.com and The Athletic, with the latter describing him as a “massive, long post player who needs to change play style for (the) NBA.”

The veteran forward left Gonzaga as college basketball’s active scoring and rebounding leader with 2,575 career points and 1,144 boards, gradually developing different aspects of his game during his time in Spokane.

None have been more important than Ike’s improved outside shooting, something that could help him latch on with an NBA team. The forward made 24 3-pointers during his first four college seasons at Wyoming and Gonzaga before knocking down 24 last season alone, and at a serviceable clip of 33.8%.

The Aurora, Colorado, native completed his 11th workout with the Sacramento Kings last Wednesday and had at least one more workout scheduled, with the Golden State Warriors, in the days that followed.

“It was an amazing workout, we had a great group, great coaching staff that led the workout with amazing intensity, great communication,” Ike told media members in Sacramento after his workout with the Kings. “It was fun overall, this process has been amazing to me. It’s my 11th workout, I’ve had a great time meeting new faces, learning new terms and coverages and just getting to check out all the facilities and getting an early start to the lifestyle has been amazing.”

NBA teams have also shown interest in Gonzaga’s Jalen Warley, a 6-foot-7 wing whose defensive versatility became a major asset for Mark Few’s team last season, especially during a West Coast Conference stretch in mid-January when both Ike and junior forward Braden Huff were sidelined with injuries.

Warley, who averaged 7.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals last season while taking on various responsibilities at both ends of the floor, told The Spokesman-Review he’d already worked out with five NBA teams including the Warriors, Pacers, Lakers and Clippers, and indicated he had a few others scheduled before the Draft.

A two-way/Exhibit 10 contract or Summer League deal also appears to be the most likely outcome for both Warley and Gonzaga teammate Tyon Grant-Foster, who was medically cleared to play in the NBA last week by the league’s fitness-to-play panel. It’s unclear if Grant-Foster, who suffered two life-threatening heart incidents midway through his college career, has participated in NBA workouts since he was cleared.

Even without any projected draft picks, Gonzaga fans may still tune in the next two days to see when and where former Zag signee Jack Kayil is selected. The German combo guard was expected to be a candidate to start for Gonzaga this fall before electing to keep his name in the NBA Draft, where agent Milan Nikolic indicated the Alba Berlin standout has “first-round potential” during an interview in May w...

[Locked On: Locked On Zags] - SHOCK: Dusty May LEAVES CBB for Dallas Mavericks! Can Gonzaga CAPITALIZE on Michigan's misfortune?

Locked On Zags — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:12:27 GMT

The Michigan Wolverines lose head coach Dusty May to the Dallas Mavericks—how might his NBA jump shake up the college basketball landscape and open doors for...

[Locked On: Locked On Zags] - BOLD: Tyon Grant-Foster can SUCCEED in the NBA #zagsbasketball

Locked On Zags — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:12:22 GMT

Gonzaga Bulldogs set their Pac-12 era in motion, reportedly hosting New Mexico State in their first home game—a pivotal matchup as the team builds one of its...

[ZagsBlog] - St. John’s lands commitment from Giminez

Zach Smart — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 21:15:23 GMT

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[ZagsBlog] - 2027 Wor authoring efficiency for AZ Select

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[ZagsBlog] - Brooklyn Native commits to UCF

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[Locked On: Locked On Zags] - Gonzaga vs. New Mexico State in FIRST home game of Pac-12 era? | Tyon Grant-Foster CLEARED by NBA!

Locked On Zags — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 19:26:49 GMT

Gonzaga Bulldogs set their Pac-12 era in motion, reportedly hosting New Mexico State in their first home game—a pivotal matchup as the team builds one of its...

[NCAA: Go Zags] - Gonzaga Adds French Guard Juwan Ekanga-Ehawa

Gonzaga University Athletics — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 00:17:02 GMT

SPOKANE, Wash. – Juwan Ekanga-Ehawa, a rising prospect from France, signed a financial aid agreement to attend Gonzaga University and will join the men's basketball team for the 2026-27 season.

[The Spokesman-Review] - Gonzaga signs French guard Juwan Ekanga-Ehawa to financial aid agreement

Theo Lawson — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 01:11:14 GMT

Juwan Ekanga-Ehawa has signed a financial aid agreement with Gonzaga just six days after announcing a commitment to Mark Few’s program.

The French guard officially becomes the third member of Gonzaga’s freshman class, joining four-star wing Luca Foster and four-star center Sam Funches.

Having signed with with Gonzaga, Ekanga-Ehawa is now cleared to join his new teammates in Spokane for summer workouts in the upcoming days or weeks. Most GU players arrived early last week for practices and will remain on campus through July before another short break.

A rising French prospect, Ekanga-Ehawa is labeled a shooting guard and will give the Zags another depth piece in the backcourt behind returning point guard Mario Saint-Supery and Houston transfer Isiah Harwell, who’s expected to compete for the starting shooting guard role.

The 18-year-old Ekanga-Ehawa most recently played for JL Bourg, appearing 21 times for the club’s U-21 team and twice for the senior team competing in France’s top pro division.

Ekanga-Ehawa, who was brought up through JL Bourg’s youth academy, averaged 19.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals this past season while shooting 50.2% from the field, 30.6% from the 3-point line and 69.2% from the free throw line.

He also made seven appearances last year for Chorale Roanne, a club competing in France’s second division.

Ekanga-Ehawa becomes the first French player to sign with Gonzaga since Joel Ayayi in 2017. Ayayi spent one season playing for JL Bourg in 2024-25 while Ekanga-Ehawa was competing for the club’s U-21 team.

The incoming guard becomes the seventh France native to sign with Gonzaga since 2001, joining Ayayi, Killian Tillie, Guy Landry Eli, Mathis Keita, Mamery Diallo and Ronny Turiaf.

[The Spokesman-Review] - Report: New Mexico State to visit Gonzaga on Nov. 7 for possible home opener

Theo Lawson — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 22:20:57 GMT

Five days after returning from Las Vegas for a season opener against Purdue, Gonzaga will reportedly host New Mexico State on Nov. 7 in what will potentially serve as the team’s home opener at McCarthey Athletic Center.

The New Mexico State matchup, which was reported Friday night by Bracketeer.com’s Rocco Miller, also becomes the first known home game on Gonzaga’s 2026-27 schedule.

Provided the Zags don’t schedule another opponent between their Nov. 2 opener against the Boilermakers at T-Mobile Arena and the New Mexico State matchup, it will also double as the team’s home opener. As of now, the team’s next known game is a Nov. 14 matchup against LSU at Numerica Veterans Arena.

Gonzaga has a strong track record when it comes to home openers, picking up its 36th straight victory last year with a 98-43 victory over Texas Southern.

The Zags and Aggies have played just one other time, meeting on Dec. 7, 2013, at the Kennel. Three months before winning its third consecutive Western Athletic Conference championship, NMSU held Gonzaga to a one-point lead at halftime before the Zags outscored the Aggies by 11 in the second half to win 80-68.

Sam Dower led the Zags with 22 points while Kevin Pangos added 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists. WAC Player of the Year Daniel Mullings paced NMSU with 17 points while 7-foot-5 Aggies center Sim Bhullar had six points, five rebounds and four blocked shots.

Under third-year coach Jason Hooten, the Aggies finished 16-16 overall last season with an 8-12 mark in Conference USA play. NMSU lost its top five scorers from last year’s team but returns junior forward Jae’Coby Osborne, who averaged 6.0 points and 4.9 rebounds while starting in 20 of 32 games.

The Aggies reloaded in the transfer portal, adding Louisiana Tech point guard D.J. Dudley (13.8 ppg), Sacramento State forward Mark Lavrenov (9.9 ppg, 7.0 rpg), Long Beach State forward Leopold Levillian (4.8 ppg), Little Rock point guard K.K. Robinson (15.8 ppg), Holy Cross shooting guard Gabe Warren (12.5 ppg) and San Jose State shooting guard Jermaine Washington (11.5 ppg).

[ZagsBlog] - Seton Hall, UAB offer 2028 Forward

Zach Smart — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 21:51:29 GMT

BY ZACH SMART Now at 6-foot-8, Class […] The post appeared first on .