Gonzaga players in the NBA: Domantas Sabonis, Chet Holmgren headline list of former Zags
From unproven rookies to established veterans, Gonzaga has a program record of 10 former players on NBA rosters entering the 2023-24 season.
With at least one Zag selected in each of the last three drafts, it appears head coach Mark Few's influence on the NBA is only getting bigger.
Here's a look at Gonzaga's NBA contingent:
DOMANTAS SABONIS (SACRAMENTO KINGS)
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During his first full season in Sacramento, Sabonis led the Kings to their first playoff berth since 2006, ending the longest postseason drought in the four major professional sports.
The 27-year-old power forward earned his third All-Star selection after leading the NBA in rebounding (12.3 per game) and the Kings in assists (7.3). He also averaged 19.1 points per game on 61.5% shooting from the field.
Over the summer, Sabonis agreed to a contract renegotiation and extension for a total of $217 million over five seasons. He had an opportunity to receive more money but expressed his desire to prioritize the franchise's roster-building flexibility over maximizing his earnings.
CHET HOLMGREN (OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER)
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After missing the entire 2022-23 season with a Lisfranc injury, Holmgren is essentially a redshirt rookie for the Thunder. He's among the top contenders for the Rookie of the Year award, competing with the likes of Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, and Brandon Miller.
Holmgren has only appeared in a handful of games this preseason, but the early results indicate the former second-overall pick has a chance to make an immediate impact for the Thunder. In his first three exhibition matchups, he averaged 18.3 points in 21.0 minutes per game. He made 18 of his 29 shots in those contests, including five of his nine 3-point attempts.
KELLY OLYNYK (UTAH JAZZ)
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Olynyk had arguably the best season of his 10-year career in 2022-23. The 32-year-old power forward started in all of his 68 appearances for the Jazz, averaging 12.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
After a productive first season in Utah, Olynyk will look to produce similar numbers in the final year of his contract before entering free agency. However, Olynyk is likely to serve in a backup role behind newly acquired power forward John Collins.
Being on an expiring contract, Olynyk is a potential trade target for teams pushing for the playoffs. According to NBA insider Tim MacMahon on the Lowe Post Podcast, the Jazz are expected to be very active in pursuing trades this season.
ANDREW NEMBHARD (INDIANA PACERS)
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Coming off a promising rookie campaign, Nembhard picked up where he left off in the Las Vegas Summer League.
Over his two appearances, Nembhard averaged 17.5 points, 7.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 31.4 minutes and led the Pacers to back-to-back wins. He was held out for the rest of the competition and has yet to play in the preseason.
Nembhard started in 63 games as a rookie, but ESPN lists him as a backup guard on Indiana's depth chart. He will have to compete for minutes in a loaded backcourt that features Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Buddy Hield, Bruce Brown and T.J. McConnell.
JULIAN STRAWTHER (DENVER NUGGETS)
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It's not easy for a rookie to earn meaningful minutes for the reigning NBA champions, but Strawther has made a strong case for a prominent role off Denver's bench.
In four preseason games, Strawther's shot-making abilities have been on full display. He's averaging 17.8 points on 51.1% shooting in 23.3 minutes per game.
With Denver's rotation being slightly thinner than last year, Strawther should have an opportunity to contribute right away for one of the league's top contenders.
COREY KISPERT (WASHINGTON WIZARDS)
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Through his first two NBA seasons, Kispert lived up to the sharpshooting expectations that followed him as a prospect out of Gonzaga.
Kispert, who was selected 15th overall by the Wizards in 2021, broke the franchise's rookie 3-point record with 112 makes from beyond the arc. He demolished that mark last season, connecting on a team-high 163 triples.
While Kispert started in 81 games over the last two years, his role could further expand in 2023-24 after the Wizards dealt Bradley Beal to the Suns and Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics.
RUI HACHIMURA (LOS ANGELES LAKERS)
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Hachimura was an immediate contributor to the Lakers' rotation after joining the team in a midseason trade from the Wizards.
The 6-foot-8 forward shined the brightest in the playoffs, where he averaged 12.2 points. He shot 55.7% from the field and 48.8% from 3-point range.
Hachimura scored at least 15 points in six postseason outings to help the seventh-seeded Lakers overcome the Grizzlies and Warriors to reach the conference finals. Los Angeles was eliminated after getting swept by the Nuggets, who then defeated the Heat over five games in the NBA Finals.
In June, Hachimura and the Lakers agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal.
JALEN SUGGS (ORLANDO MAGIC)
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While injuries slowed down Suggs' development in his first two NBA seasons, the former Gonzaga point guard has still shown plenty of promise.
Suggs, who was drafted fifth overall in 2021, has averaged 10.8 points, 3.6 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 25.3 minutes per game in 101 total games for the Magic.
One of the major questions for Suggs is whether he can become an efficient scorer. He has shot 38.7% from the field and 27.1% from 3-point range in his NBA career.
ZACH COLLINS (SAN ANTONIO SPURS)
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Collins' future in San Antonio seemed unclear when the franchise drafted Wembanyama with the top pick in this year's draft. However, with the season about to commence, the Spurs are expected to start both big men together.
Collins called his pairing with Wembanyama a "match made in heaven" after the duo combined for 35 points and 10 rebounds in San Antonio's 122-121 loss to Oklahoma City in the preseason opener.
With Wembanyama receiving league-wide attention, Collins will have a chance to prove himself in front of a national audience this season.
BRANDON CLARKE (MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES)
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Still getting back to full speed after tearing his Achilles last season, Clarke is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2023-24 campaign.
The 27-year power forward has mostly come off the bench in his four NBA seasons, averaging 10.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game during that span.
