Gonzaga will once again have an incoming player spending the summer overseas on national team duty, and this time it’s French wing Juwan Ekanga-Ehawa getting the call.
France has named Ekanga-Ehawa to its U20 EuroBasket roster, giving the 18-year-old a chance to compete against some of Europe’s top young talent before he arrives in Spokane for the 2026-27 season. He’s one of four players on the team who are slated to play Division 1 college basketball next season, joining Timeo Pons of Abilene Christian, Yohann Sissoko of Long Beach State, and Talis Soulhac of Murray State.
For Ekanga-Ehawa, this is a new step on the international stage. It will be his first time representing France in 5x5 basketball, though he already has a silver medal from the 3x3 U17 European Olympic Festival.
The 6-foot-6 wing comes to Gonzaga from JL Bourg, where he put together a huge U21 season, averaging 19.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game. He also logged time with the senior team and spent time with Chorale Roanne in France’s second division. Along the way, he was named Most Improved Player in the Espoirs ELITE league and earned a spot in the French Young Star Game.
Ekanga-Ehawa is joining Gonzaga alongside fellow countryman Nathan De Sousa for 2026-27, and the Bulldogs are clearly betting on his long-term upside. He’s not expected to walk into a major role right away, especially with the projected starting group featuring sophomores Mario Saint-Supery, Isiah Harwell, Davis Fogle and Massamba Diop, plus senior Braden Huff.
Gonzaga also has experienced depth behind that group. De Sousa and St. Francis transfer Skylar Wicks give the Bulldogs backcourt options, while freshman Luca Foster brings shooting that could help him earn minutes off the bench.
Still, Ekanga-Ehawa has the kind of talent that can force its way into the picture. Gonzaga saw that happen last season with Davis Fogle, who wasn’t projected as a rotation piece but grew into one by the end of the year thanks to his scoring, defense and playmaking.
France’s U20 EuroBasket run begins Saturday, July 11 and runs through Sunday, July 19. The French open against Turkey in Slovenia at 6:30 AM PT, with the game set to stream on YouTube.
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