6'10 Prospect With G League Pedigree Just Committed to Gonzaga, and Mark Few Keeps Finding Hidden Gems
Mark Few is doing it again. The Gonzaga coach has just landed Izan Almansa, a 6'10 forward currently holding it down for Real Madrid in Spain, and the kid brings a resume that's wildly different from your typical college recruit. Almansa committed to the Bulldogs for the 2026-27 season, making him the first Gonzaga commit ever to have played in the G League. That's not a small detail.
From the G League to Spain to Gonzaga
Almansa's path is unconventional, which is exactly what makes him interesting. He played 48 games for the G League Ignite during the 2023-24 season, where he averaged 10.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. He was good enough to earn a spot in the Rising Stars Challenge at the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, going up against NBA talent like Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. He also had experience alongside NBA star Matas Buzelis and former Gonzaga guys Jeremy Pargo, Admon Gilder, and David Stockton.
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👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiAfter going undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft, Almansa played five summer league games with the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 4.2 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11 minutes per game. He's also the first Gonzaga commit to have played in the NBA summer league. The guy has been around professional basketball his entire career, which means he arrives at Gonzaga with serious experience and polish.
He's Got Time to Make an Impact
Here's the kicker: Almansa turned 19 on June 7, 2024, which triggered his five-year clock under the new NCAA rules. That means he can play college basketball through the 2028-29 season. The Bulldogs are getting a guy who has multiple years to develop and contribute.
Almansa will slot into a frontcourt anchored by redshirt senior Braden Huff, redshirt freshman Parker Jefferson, and incoming freshman Sam Funches. He'll also have fellow Real Madrid alumni Massamba Diop, who transferred to Gonzaga after an excellent freshman year at Arizona State. Few is stacking the frontcourt with international experience and professional seasoning.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.