Davis Fogle’s rise at Gonzaga is already starting to show up in NBA draft chatter.
In CBS Sports scout Adam Finkelstein’s latest 2027 mock draft, the Gonzaga wing lands at No. 18 overall to the Charlotte Hornets, a projection that would make him the highest-drafted Zag since Chet Holmgren went No. 2 in 2022 and Gonzaga’s first first-rounder since Julian Strawther went No. 29 in 2023.
“Davis will have an opportunity to be one of college basketball's breakout players this year, and maybe even a jumbo initiator at Gonzaga,” Finkelstein wrote. “If he can sustain his shooting and defense, he could play his way into the first round.”
For Gonzaga, it would be a notable return to the upper reaches of the draft. The program has sent 13 former players to the NBA last season, but it has not had a player selected since Anton Watson went No. 54 in 2024.
Fogle looks like a strong candidate to break that drought. The 6-foot-7 wing spent last season working his way into a larger role, beginning as a productive scorer in limited minutes before becoming a key piece on the perimeter for Mark Few. He finished the year averaging 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 16.7 minutes per game while shooting 56.3% on twos, 35% from three and 72.3% at the line.
His opportunity should only grow this season. With Jalen Warley, Tyon Grant-Foster, Adam Miller, Emmanuel Innocenti and Steele Venters all gone, Gonzaga has a clear opening on the wing, and Fogle already flashed what that can look like when he scored 30 points on 11-for-15 shooting in 20 minutes at Kraziness in the Kennel. He set an event scoring record while going 6-for-7 from beyond the arc.
The offense will still run through Braden Huff, who averaged 17.8 points on elite efficiency last season before a knee injury ended his year in January, but Fogle should get plenty of chances to show what he can do. If his role expands into more on-ball work, that could be where his draft stock really starts to climb.
Gonzaga’s guard situation adds another layer. The roster includes Florida transfer Xaivian Lee, Dayton transfer Javon Bennett and French 23-year-old Nathan de Sousa, though Lee and Bennett remain part of the ongoing NCAA legal battle involving the class of 2022 and their eligibility could still change. If that leaves Gonzaga short-handed at point guard, Fogle could become the team’s de facto backup at the position, a development that would only strengthen his case with NBA scouts.
The Zags also have two major nonconference tests tied into the draft conversation. Their matchup with Duke in February is expected to feature four projected NBA picks in Finkelstein’s mock, including Fogle, center Patrick Ngongba at No. 9, wing Dame Sarr at No. 13 and big man Cam Williams at No. 17.
Before that, Gonzaga will head to Fayetteville for an exhibition against Arkansas this Saturday, Oct. 24.
That game is scheduled for 1:00 PM PT and will be shown on SECN+, with projected No. 2 pick Jordan Smith Jr. joined by junior forward Billy Richmond III at No. 21 and freshman wing JJ Andrews at No. 27.
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Now he gets another shot with Phoenix, which moved quickly to claim him off waivers and add him to its final two-way contract spot. The fit gives Timme a fresh opportunity to impress a new staff while likely spending time between the Suns and their G League affiliate, the Valley Suns, and it sets up the next test in a career that has stayed alive by persistence as much as pedigree. [Read more 🡒]
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Graham Ike is also poised to enter that mix, expected to make his NBA debut with the Golden State Warriors on a two-way deal. At the same time, the Gonzaga alumni list looks a little different than it did a year ago, with Brandon Clarke's death over the summer and Kelly Olynyk taking his game overseas to BC Roma after his final NBA stint with the San Antonio Spurs. [Read more 🡒]