Gonzaga Lands 7'2 Turkish Center Amidst Roster Shakeup

As Gonzaga prepares for its first season in the revamped Pac-12 conference in 2026-27, the Bulldogs face the challenge of rebuilding their roster. With five seniors departing and five additional players entering the transfer portal, only four projected rotation players remain. A significant focus is on recruiting a new center, a position left vacant by the departure of All-American Graham Ike.

The team has reportedly expressed interest in 7'2 Turkish center Samet Yigitoglu, who spent the last two seasons at SMU. During his time with the Mustangs, Yigitoglu averaged 10.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game, shooting an impressive 62.8% from the field as a sophomore. His addition would directly address Gonzaga's long-standing need for a dominant rim protector, a deficiency noted since Chet Holmgren's departure.

Yigitoglu's substantial frame and defensive capabilities, particularly in protecting the rim, align with the Zags' needs. Paired with Braden Huff in the frontcourt, Yigitoglu could form one of the nation's most formidable pairings, offering low-post scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking to complement Huff's offensive versatility and address defensive rebounding weaknesses. This potential recruit is crucial for Gonzaga's aspirations in the competitive new conference.