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Harwell's ACL Woes: Will Gonzaga Rise?
20 Jun
Summary
- Isiah Harwell, a former McDonald's All-American, joins Gonzaga.
- Harwell battled an ACL injury affecting his Houston tenure.
- He aims to excel as a 3 and D player for the Zags.
Isiah Harwell, a highly touted recruit and McDonald's All-American, has transferred to Gonzaga University after a difficult freshman season with the Houston Cougars. Harwell originally suffered an ACL tear during his senior year of high school, which significantly impacted his ability to break into Houston's rotation. He averaged only 3.2 points per game during his tenure with the Cougars.
Wasatch Academy coach Paul Peterson, who has coached numerous Division I players, expressed confidence in Harwell's potential, calling him the 'total package' for college basketball. Peterson noted that Harwell, now 6-6 and 220 pounds, needs consistent court time, which Gonzaga is expected to provide.
Harwell's move to Gonzaga provides him an opportunity to step into a starting role as a shooting guard. He is expected to contribute immediately as a 3 and D player, a role that became available following Jack Kayil's decision to enter the 2026 NBA Draft. Harwell aims to improve his NBA draft stock for the 2027 or 2028 draft during his time in Spokane.
