Tracking Gonzaga's top 2024 basketball recruits: Zoom Diallo leads loaded class
Once a beloved mid-major underdog, the Gonzaga men's basketball program has transformed into a perennial powerhouse.
The coaching staff's recruiting prowess is largely responsible for the Zags' rise. Landing blue-chip prospects like Drew Timme, Jalen Suggs and Chet Holmgren helped the Zags compile a 121-13 record, three straight Sweet 16 berths and one National Championship appearance over a four-year span.
Head coach Mark Few and his assistants have been busy on the recruiting trail, identifying the next wave of Gonzaga stars. Here are the Zags' top recruiting targets in the class of 2024:
TOP 2024 RECRUITING TARGETS
Zoom Diallo, point guard (Napa, California)
Zoom Diallo (No. 5)
Photo by Vince Miller
Washington's top basketball prospect may have left the state, but he's still keeping Gonzaga on his final list of schools.
Diallo, who's transferring from Curtis High School to Prolific Prep, took two trips to Gonzaga during the 2022-23 academic year. His official visit to campus was on Jan. 14, where he watched the Zags rout Portland 115-75 at McCarthey Athletic Center.
"They really install whatever their game plan is, whatever their system is going to be for that game; they really work on that with their guards in and out of practice," Diallo told SBLive about the visit. "They’re really involved in developing their guards, and that really stood out to me."
The 6-foot-4 Tacoma native is the No. 1 point guard in his class after leading the Vikings to back-to-back Washington Class 4A state titles.
Diallo has above-average size and strength for a ball handler, coupled with mature instincts and elite body control. He excels when using ball screens, enabling him to either score inside the paint or set up his teammates.
He also has a smooth jump shot, making him a threat both off the catch and the dribble from beyond the arc. His ability to pull up from long range allows him to score the moment he finds an opening.
In January, Diallo revealed his top six college choices, which included Florida State, USC, Arizona, Kansas, Gonzaga and Washington. Diallo is "nearing a decision," according to a report from 247Sports.
Asa Newell, power forward (Monteverde, Florida)
Asa Newell (No. 14)
Photo by Matt Christopher
From Domantas Sabonis to Brandon Clarke, well-rounded big men have been the cornerstone of many successful Gonzaga squads.
Newell, a consensus top-20 player in his class, could follow in the footsteps of these professional Zags if he chooses Spokane as his new home.
The 6-foot-10 forward recently announced his offer from Gonzaga, which he spoke to 247Sports about during the Pro16 Finals in Omaha, Nebraska.
"I talk to R-Jay Barsh and Mark Few," Newell said. "Barsh and I had a relationship when he was at Florida State. They play at the highest level and have had players of my stature there. They have a really good development program."
Newell flashed tremendous defensive upside while playing for the U19 National Team. He showcased a high motor and elite rim protection skills, averaging 2.3 blocks across seven games for Team USA.
Newell's offensive game appeared less polished, but he was still a productive scorer around the basket. He averaged 7.7 points per game on 51.1% shooting from the field. His greatest scoring output was 13 points in 15 minutes during a 122-70 win over Lebanon.
Entering his final season at Montverde Academy, Newell is expected to start after coming off the bench on last season's nationally-ranked team. As a junior, he averaged 5.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in 12 NIBC contests.
Newell told 247Sports that he plans to release a top-five list before school starts in August.
Chase McCarty, small forward (Huntsville, Alabama)
Chase McCarty (No. 21)
Photo by Mickey Welsh / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK
Just a few days after receiving an offer from Gonzaga, McCarty traveled 100 miles south of his hometown to watch the Zags defeat then-No. 1 Alabama 100-90 at Legacy Arena in Birmingham.
McCarty, who also has an offer from the Crimson Tide, is a 4-star recruit and the top-ranked rising senior in Alabama by 247Sports. His other high-profile suitors include Kansas, Houston, Ole Miss, Notre Dame and Cincinnati.
As a rangy athlete with a 6-foot-6 frame, McCarty is a versatile scorer who can finish around the rim and shoot from 3-point range. His length and physicality also help him on the defensive end, where he can effectively guard multiple positions.
Adding a two-way wing like McCarty would address some of the defensive struggles Gonzaga faced last season. The Zags finished 73rd in adjusted defensive efficiency by KenPom.
Ishan Sharma, shooting guard (Fort Erie, Ontario)
Ishan Sharma (No. 4)
Photo by Katie Goodale / USA TODAY NETWORK
Gonzaga's reputation for attracting top Canadian prospects is widely recognized.
In particular, Ontario has been a reliable source of talent, producing notable former Zags like Andrew Nembhard, Kevin Pangos and Kelly Olynyk.
Sharma, a 6-foot-5 guard from the same province, has heard from Gonzaga, according to Canadian Basketball Recruiting Analyst Josh Millican.
While the Zags have yet to offer Sharma, he's received scholarship opportunities from Arizona State, Eastern Michigan, Harvard, Yale and Rice.
Sharma is an elite 3-point sharpshooter who can consistently knock down shots both off the catch and the dribble. He made 16 of 36 from beyond the arc in 5 games for UPlay Canada at Peach Jam. His best performance during the tournament was a 28-point outing on 8 of 14 shooting from the field, including five 3-pointers.
Aside from his scoring prowess, Sharma is a capable secondary ball handler. He processes the game quickly, especially as a pick-and-roll playmaker. His size allows him to see over defenders, which improves his ability to read passing lanes.
The list of programs interested in Sharma is expected to grow significantly during his final year at Fort Erie International Academy.
Cameron Mercadel, point guard (Rancho Santa Margarita, California)
While Mercadel has only two offers to attend low-major programs, he's drawn interest from big-time schools like Gonzaga, Kentucky, USC and Purdue.
The 6-foot, 155-pound guard led Orangewood Academy to a 23-7 record last season in one of the nation's most competitive regions for high school basketball. Mercadel averaged a team-high 14.2 points per game.
Don't let his undersized frame fool you, Mercadel is a fearless finisher at the rim. His exceptional bounce allows him to absorb contact from defenders before finishing crafty layups or ferocious dunks.
Mercadel's leaping ability also helps him rise up and knock down contested long-range 3-pointers, something he regularly does off the dribble.
As a high-volume scorer, Mercadel carries himself with unwavering confidence. He doesn't shy away from challenges, he embraces them.
Mercadel, who recently transferred to Santa Margarita Catholic, is another player whose stock should increase during his senior season.
Jalen Lee, shooting guard (Orlando, Florida)
Lee made headlines this offseason for his decision to transfer to West Oaks Academy in Orlando, Florida. The move will put the 6-foot-4 guard on a much bigger stage, with the Flame playing a highly-competitive schedule against nationally-ranked opponents.
A 3-star recruit with offers from Auburn, LSU and Florida, Lee has also been in contact with Gonzaga and several other championship contenders, according to his AAU team, the Showtime Ballers.
What stands out most about Lee is his athleticism, which he demonstrates through explosive drives to the paint, culminating in powerful finishes. His strength grants him the ability to handle contact and get to his spots on the floor.
Lee's strong build is just as beneficial on the defensive end, where he can keep opposing players out of the paint. It also allows him to guard multiple positions.
247Sports ranks Lee as the 26th-best 2024 recruit in Georgia.
Johnny Furphy, small forward (Melbourne, Victoria)
With plans to attend college in the U.S., Furphy has started fielding offers from top-tier schools like Kansas, College of Charleston and Georgetown, among others. Not to mention, he's also heard from Gonzaga, Duke, UCLA and North Carolina.
Furphy is a 6-foot-7 wing who plays for Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence (COE), a program that has produced a collection of current and former NBA talent. The school's alumni include Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova and Joe Ingles.
A late-blooming prospect, Furphy reclassified after being under-recruited in 2023. At the time, he was still growing into his frame and his offensive repertoire was maturing.
However, it's reported that Furphy might come over from Australia to play college basketball this season. There are a handful of schools looking to add more talent right now, including Gonzaga.
The Zags have multiple scholarship spots remaining, one of which opened after 2023 Australian prospect Alex Toohey made a last-minute choice to decommit from Gonzaga and join the Sydney Kings as part of the NBL's Next Stars program.
