A new proposal in Congress could reshape one of Gonzaga’s biggest advantages under Mark Few: its reach overseas.
For more than two decades, the Bulldogs have made a habit of finding, recruiting and developing talent far beyond the United States. That pipeline stayed strong even after Tommy Lloyd, Gonzaga’s longtime international recruiting ace, left to become Arizona’s head coach in 2021-22. The Zags have still been a premier landing spot for players from Europe, Canada and Asia.
Now, that model could face a major test.
Senators Tim Walberg and Jon Husted introduced the Training and Education for American Members in University Sports and Athletics - or TEAM USA - Act on Monday, a bill that would place new limits on international student-athletes at the college level if it becomes law.
The proposal is straightforward in its effect, even if the name is not. It would cap every college roster in every sport at 20% student-athletes born internationally. Schools would also have to report participation figures to the Department of Education every year to prove they are in compliance.
In basketball terms, that means a standard 15-player roster could include no more than three international student-athletes. Other sports would be affected based on roster size.
The earliest the measure could take effect is 2029-30, so Gonzaga’s current roster would not be touched. But the Zags already have four internationally born players slated for 2026-27: Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop of Senegal, Spanish forward Izan Almansa, and French guards Nathan de Sousa and Juwan Ekanga-Ehawa.
Under the proposed rule, several Gonzaga teams from recent years would have crossed the line, even those built largely around domestic players. The 2020-21 team included Andrew Nembhard of Canada, Oumar Ballo of Mali, Pavel Zakharov of Russia and Martynas Arlauskas of Lithuania. The 2016-17 group featured Przemek Karnowski of Poland, Killian Tillie of France, Rui Hachimura of Japan and Dustin Triano of Canada.
In Other News...
Arizonas Big 12 Repeat Chase Starts With A Brutal Early Test
Arizonas path through the 2026-27 mens basketball season already looks like one of the more demanding slates in the Big 12, with Tommy Lloyds team set to open with the Red-Blue Showcase on Sept. 26 before rolling through three home exhibitions in October. From there, the Wildcats face a schedule built around heavyweight league matchups and little room for easing into conference play, with home dates against the likes of UCF, BYU, Arizona State, Houston, Kansas and Baylor helping shape what should be a revealing year in Tucson.
The road side of the calendar is where the pressure could really pile up, though, especially with trips to Iowa State and Houston lurking among the most difficult assignments in the league. Arizona has the pieces to again push for the top of the Big 12, but this kind of start leaves almost no margin for slow nights, and the early stretch should tell a lot about how quickly the Wildcats can settle in before the grind of conference play really takes hold. [Read more 🡒]
Arizona Faces A Harsh Big 12 Reality In The Money Race
The latest look at where power-conference football money is headed puts Arizona in a familiar but uncomfortable spot. A report from The Athletic estimating 2026 roster spending across the major leagues pegged the Wildcats near the bottom of that group, with a budget in the $13-18 million range while the sports biggest players, including Texas and Ohio State, are operating at a much higher level.
For Brent Brennan, the numbers only reinforce what the Big 12 already makes clear: keeping up is going to require more than occasional flashes on the field. Arizona has to keep pushing investment forward just to stay in the race for conference relevance, and the gap between the sports haves and everyone else is only getting wider. [Read more 🡒]
Arizonas Frontcourt Suddenly Hinges On One Unsettled Tommy Lloyd Decision
RJ Godfrey has already become one of the most closely watched newcomers around Arizonas frontcourt, even though his status still hangs in legal limbo. The Clemson transfer is practicing with the Wildcats and plans to take part in upcoming events while he waits for the next step in his fight over a fifth year of eligibility, a case that has quickly turned into more than a footnote for Tommy Lloyds roster.
The uncertainty matters because Arizona added Godfrey with the idea that he could help right away, and the appeal process now has his future tied to a ruling no one in Tucson can control. For now, he is on the floor and preparing as if he will be part of the season, but the Wildcats are still left waiting to learn whether that preparation will carry over into real games. [Read more 🡒]