Gonzaga Basketball 2025–2026 Season Preview: Projected starting lineup, impact players and rotation

Off a 26-win season and a second-round NCAA Touranment exit, Gonzaga returns one of the nation's top inside duos for the 2025-26 season. The issues for the Bulldogs will be on the perimeter, where some new faces have plenty of promise, but no real experience at Gonzaga. Here's a rundown on the evolving 2025-26 Gonzaga squad.

Gonzaga basketball season preview for 2025-26

Returning big man Graham Ike should star for Gonzaga again in 2025-26. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

Starting lineup

Guard: Braeden Smith

Smith sat out last season after transferring over from Colgate. The 6-foot junior averaged 12.5 points and 5.6 assists per game in 2023-24. He's a 33% 3-point shooter and 81% foul shooter who was even a decent rebounder despite his small size. He should fit in well with the Bulldogs in 2025-26.

Guard: Adam Miller

Now on his fourth school, the veteran Miller is a perimeter shooter. Last year, the 6-foot-3 guard from Arizona State averaged 9.8 points per game while shooting 43% from 3-point range. That's where Miller figures to fit well for the Zags. Given the team's inside weapons, he'll get his opportunity to open the floor with his dependable perimeter shot.

Forward: Tyon Grant-Foster

A former Kansas recruit, Grant-Foster has become a standout at Grand Canyon. Last year, he averaged 14.1 points and 5.9 boards per game, down from 20.1 ppg in 2023-24. His perimeter shot isn't the most consistent, but Grant-Foster is an experienced veteran athlete and scorer and should help Gonzaga fare well in the open court in 2025-26.

Forward: Graham Ike

An outstanding super senior who transferred in from Wyoming, Ike has a chance for a memorable third season with the Zags. He averaged 17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game last year. Ike has even evolved into a capable perimeter shooter and an 81% foul shooter. Ike is one of the most capable and experienced big men in the nation and will lead this team.

Forward: Braden Huff

A 6-foot-10 junior, Huff had two excellent seasons off the bench for Gonzaga, but will start now. Last season, he averaged 11.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Huff needs to become more consistent as a shooter, but he's a capable scoring presence who forms a formidable inside duo with Ike. The frontcourt will be a strength for the Bulldogs.

Rotation Players

Among the likely bench contributors is freshman Davis Fogle, a four-star recruit who should play on the wing. Center Ismaila Diagne and guard Steele Venters are a pair of intriguing returnees, with Venters having a history of injuries. Incoming frosh Parker Jackson is a big wing who could also help out inside or outside.

Impact Players

That duo of Ike and Huff will be tough. There aren't many teams nationally, much less in the WCC, that can compete with those two players inside. The guards are the wildcards, but the inside duo are the known quality. They should carry Gonzaga to an even better season than last year, particularly if they get some help on the wings.

What do you think of Gonzaga's upcoming hoops squad? Share your take below in our comments section!

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Edited by Joe Cox