Where former Gonzaga stars are playing as NBA Training Camp begins

The 2025-26 NBA season is nearly upon us, with training camp getting underway this week and games starting officially on Oct. 21.

Once again, the Gonzaga Bulldogs are well-represented all across the league, with 13 players on rosters, including first-timer Ryan Nembhard, who signed a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks after going undrafted in 2025.

Nembhard's debut is one of the biggest storylines among NBA Zags, but his brother Andrew will get a chance to take on a bigger role for the Pacers following Tyrese Haliburton's injury, while Kelly Olynyk and (potentially) Anton Watson will play for new teams in San Antonio and Los Angeles, respectively.

Below is a look at all 13 Zags and their expected role this upcoming season:

Note: Hunter Sallis, who played at Gonzaga before transferring to Wake Forest, is on a two-way deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies

Mar 17, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (15) warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Clarke is entering his seventh NBA season, all with the Memphis Grizzlies. He suffered a knee injury during offseason training, however, and will undergo surgery to address knee synovitis and will be reevaluated in six weeks, costing him the start of the upcoming season.

Clarke tied his career-high with 64 games played last year, although his 8.3 points and 5.1 rebounds were both the lowest marks of his career.

Zach Collins, Chicago Bulls

Sep 29, 2025; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Zach Collins (12) poses for photos during Chicago Bulls Media Day. | David Banks-Imagn Images

After four years in Portland and 3.5 years in San Antonio, Collins was traded in February to the Chicago Bulls. He finished the season strong in the Windy City, averaging 8.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 28 games, and should be a big part of Chicago's plans over a full season in 2025-26.

Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers

Sep 29, 2025; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) during media day at UCLA Health Training Center. | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Hachimura played a career-high 31.7 minutes per game last year, averaging 13.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists for the Lakers. A full season alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James should help Rui get even more open looks on the perimeter in 2025-26.

Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder

Jaylin Williams (6), Chet Holmgren (7) and Isaiah Hartenstein (55) during the Thunder Media Day for the 25-26 NBA season at the Paycom Center Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. | DOUG HOKE/THEOKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Holmgren appeared in 32 regular-season games last year for the Thunder thanks to a hip injury, but he still averaged 15 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. He was outstanding for OKC during the playoffs, helping lead the Thunder to a championship with elite defense and efficient scoring.

Corey Kispert, Washington Wizards

Sep 29, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert (24) poses for a portrait during Wizards Media Day at CareFirst Arena. | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Kispert appeared in 61 games but did not make a single start last season, although he still averaged 11.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 36.4% from three. The Wizards remain in rebuilding mode, and Kispert should be a big part of the squad once again in 2025-26.

Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers

Sep 29, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) poses for a photo during media day. | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Nembhard had a career year in Indiana last year, averaging 10 points and 5.0 assists across 65 games. He was even better in the playoffs, helping the Pacers go on a tremendous run to the NBA Finals, where they lost in Game 7 to Oklahoma City. With Tyrese Haliburton out for the entire upcoming season, Nembhard will play more of an on-ball role in 2025-26.

Ryan Nembhard, Dallas Mavericks

Sep 29, 2025; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard (9) poses for a photo during the Mavericks' 2025 media day at the American Airlines Center. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

After obliterating Gonzaga's single-season assist record as a senior last year, Nembhard unexpectedly went undrafted but quickly signed on with the Mavericks, where he'll team up with fellow rookie Cooper Flagg and future Hall of Famers Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis.

Kelly Olynyk, San Antonio Spurs

Sep 29, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward-center Kelly Olynyk (8) poses for photos during Media Day at Victory Capital Performance Center in San Antonio. | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Olynyk began 2025 in Toronto before a February trade sent him to New Orleans, where he averaged 10.7 points and 5.9 rebounds in 20 starts. The offseason saw him dealt to Washington and quickly flipped to San Antonio, where he is set to serve as Victor Wembanyama's backup this season.

Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

Sep 29, 2025; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (8) and forward Domantas Sabonis (11) pose for a photo during media day at Golden 1 Center. | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Sabonis led the NBA in rebounding for a third year in a row, averaging 13.9 boards alongside 19.1 points and 6.0 assists while shooting 41.7% from three — but was not selected for the All-Star game and did not earn All-NBA honors. He'll look to change that in 2025-26.

Julian Strawther, Denver Nuggets

Sep 29, 2025; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets player Julian Strawther (3) poses for a picture during media day at Ball Arena. | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Strawther is entering his third NBA season after doubling his output in nearly every way last year, averaging 9.0 points and shooting 34.9% from three in just over 21 minutes per game. He had a signature performance for Denver in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against Oklahoma City, and should have an even bigger role for the Nuggets in 2025-26.

Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic

Sep 29, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) poses for a picture during Magic-Media Day at AdventHealth Training Center. | Mike Watters-Imagn Images

It was yet another injury-riddled campaign for Suggs, who only appeared in 35 games for Orlando in his fifth NBA campaign. He was excellent when he was on the court, however, averaging 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals, and will be a huge piece for Orlando alongside Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner in 2025-26.

Drew Timme, Brooklyn Nets

Sep 23, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Drew Timme (26) speaks at Media Day. | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

A strong season in the G League finally resulted in Timme making his NBA debut late last year for Brooklyn and he immediately thrived, averaging 12.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in nine games. He is now on a guaranteed deal with the Nets and should compete for significant minutes in the frontcourt.

Anton Watson, Los Angeles Lakers

Apr 1, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Former New York Knicks forward Anton Watson, now with the Los Angeles Lakers. | John Jones-Imagn Images

Watson signed what is presumed to be an Exhibit 10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, which will place him with the South Bay Lakers of the G-League if he does not sign a full NBA contract elsewhere. The Spokane native and Zag great was drafted by the Boston Celtics last year and spent time in the G League before getting waived and eventually making eight appearances late in the season with the New York Knicks.