Gonzaga’s next steps after missing out on Isiah Harwell

Gonzaga’s Next Steps After Missing Out on Isiah Harwell
The talented combo guard will join Houston in 2025. What does this mean for Gonzaga?

Gonzaga’s top high school recruit for 2025 has officially committed to another program. Isaiah Harwell, a 5-star shooting guard from Wasatch Academy, chose Houston over Gonzaga, Texas, and Cal, as announced last Thursday. The 6’6” Idaho native would have significantly bolstered the Zags’ backcourt, especially with upcoming departures of Nolan Hickman, Ryan Nembhard, and Khalif Battle. However, Gonzaga has a history of reloading talent rather than rebuilding.

Harwell’s commitment to Houston was widely anticipated, as Houston has excelled in developing defensive-minded guards. He will be part of a program that has sent several guards to the NBA, including notable players like Jarace Walker and Marcus Sasser. While Harwell could thrive at Gonzaga, his style and size appear to align more with Houston’s system.

Harwell’s NIL situation is currently unclear, but he has signed deals with Klutch Athletics and has a valuation of about $ 418,000, making him one of the highest-ranked recruits in the class of 2025.

As a talented player, he’s expected to receive substantial playing time at Houston and could be one of the top guards nationally. However, Gonzaga has traditionally favored experienced players over freshmen, particularly in the backcourt, raising questions about how long Harwell could remain in college before turning pro.

In his absence, Gonzaga fans can find reassurance in their impressive track record of transferring guards, such as Ryan Nembhard, Malachi Smith, and Dan Dickau, all of whom significantly impacted the program. Over the past five years, Gonzaga has excelled at utilizing transfers effectively, and thus losing Harwell may not be as consequential as it seems.

Moving forward, the Bulldogs will likely focus on recruiting high-level talent from high school and the transfer portal after the current season. While they await a decision from Kingston Flemings, competing schools like Arkansas are intensifying their recruiting efforts. Currently, the only commitment for 2025 is Davis Fogle.

Missing out on Harwell is disheartening for fans, especially after much anticipation. However, it highlights a broader trend where the transfer portal is becoming a primary avenue for top talent, particularly in guard positions. Gonzaga will secure a talented shooting guard in 2025, likely through the portal, alleviating concerns for fans.

Overall, while this loss may sting, numerous skilled combo guards will likely be available in 2025, and there’s potential for future recruits like Harwell to consider Gonzaga as their destination next year.