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Gonzaga Braces for Gauntlet of NBA-Bound Stars in Nonconference Play
22 Aug
Summary
- Gonzaga to face NBA lottery talent, veteran stars, and elite scorers
- Jayden Quaintance, Nijel Pack, Donovan Dent among top players Gonzaga will encounter
- Matchups will test Gonzaga's defense and backcourt depth
As Gonzaga prepares for the 2025-26 season, their nonconference schedule is shaping up to be a gauntlet of individual stars and NBA-caliber talents. The Zags will face off against a slew of proven scorers, veteran transfers, and highly touted prospects who can single-handedly win games.
One of the most intriguing matchups will be against Kentucky's Jayden Quaintance, a 17-year-old freshman who averaged a double-double and 2.6 blocks per game for Arizona State last season before a torn ACL cut his year short. Now healthy and playing for the Wildcats, Quaintance's elite rim protection and athleticism will pose a major challenge for Gonzaga's frontcourt.
Elsewhere, Oklahoma's Nijel Pack brings a wealth of experience and shot-making ability as a sixth-year guard, while UCLA's Donovan Dent is coming off a dominant season at New Mexico where he averaged over 20 points and 6 assists per game. Baylor's Tounde Yessoufou, a consensus five-star recruit, will also look to make his mark with his relentless, pressure-inducing style of play.
Beyond these individual stars, Gonzaga will also have to contend with the likes of Otega Oweh, a Second-Team All-SEC performer from Kentucky, and Owen Freeman, the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year who transferred to Creighton. Throw in Baylor's Michael Rataj, a proven scorer who torched the Zags last season, and Gonzaga's nonconference slate reads like a who's who of the nation's most dangerous players.
These marquee matchups will put Gonzaga's defense and backcourt depth to the test early on, as they look to navigate a gauntlet of NBA-bound talents before the start of conference play.
