Shocking announcement: Gonzaga Forward Graham Ike Explained why he is leaving
Gonzaga’s continued success in reaching the Sweet 16 for the ninth consecutive time can be traced back to last April, when Mark Few brought in transfers Ryan Nembhard and Graham Ike on the same day. Together, they overcame initial challenges to form a potent duo, driving one of the top-five offenses in the nation with their effective pick-and-roll plays. Both players were recognized for their contributions by earning spots on the All-WCC first team, guiding the Bulldogs to another deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Particularly noteworthy was Ike’s dominance in the paint, averaging a team-leading 16.5 points and 7.4 rebounds while boasting an impressive 60.9% shooting accuracy. His stellar performance in conference games further solidified his impact, becoming only the sixth player in league history to lead in both scoring and field goal percentage.
Ike’s remarkable debut season at Gonzaga earned him an honorable mention on CBS Sports’ 2023-24 All-Transfer Team, acknowledging him as one of the top 10 transfer players of the season. The team, curated by CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander and David Cobb, featured standout performers like Dalton Knecht from Tennessee, who was hailed as the Transfer of the Year for his stellar performance in the SEC.
Despite his notable contributions, Nembhard did not make the cut for the All-Transfer Team, despite averaging 13.8 points and 6.9 assists per game, which ranked seventh in the nation. Nevertheless, his impact was evident as he set a program record for assists in a single season.
Following the successful acquisitions of Nembhard and Ike, Gonzaga continued its proactive approach in the transfer portal, securing Michael Ajayi from Pepperdine. Ajayi, a standout forward, had an impressive season prior to joining Gonzaga, averaging 17.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. CBS Sports recognized Ajayi’s talent by ranking him at No. 59 in their college basketball transfer portal rankings.
