The Gonzaga men’s basketball squad has bolstered its roster significantly this offseason, and there may be more additions on the horizon.
Reports indicate that Braeden Smith, a standout guard from Colgate and one of the top available players in the college basketball transfer portal, is set to visit Gonzaga “in the next week,” as per multiple sources.
Smith recently completed his sophomore campaign at Colgate, where he played a pivotal role in the team’s success, guiding them to a 25-10 record, clinching a Patriot League championship, and securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Notably, Smith earned the Patriot League Player of the Year award for his impressive contributions, averaging 12.5 points, 5.6 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game. He also showcased his shooting prowess, hitting 31.1% of his attempts from beyond the arc on 4.8 tries per game.
Former Seattle Prep standout Braeden Smith caught the eye of Dan Dickau, who had the opportunity to assess his talents. Dickau expressed enthusiasm about the potential transfer, stating, “I like this possibility, this option, for both Braeden Smith and Gonzaga.” He further praised Smith’s high basketball IQ and skill set, emphasizing that he had been impressed by him during his AAU appearances with Seattle Rotary.
Dickau also acknowledged that Smith’s relatively diminutive stature might have led to him being overlooked by higher-tier programs during the recruitment process.
