Cade Orness, the redshirt freshman guard who embarked on his Gonzaga journey as a walk-on, has announced his intention to enter the transfer portal. This move, shared on Wednesday afternoon, marks him as the first from the Zags’ 2025-26 roster to take this step ahead of the portal's official opening on April 7, following the national championship game.
In his Instagram post, Orness reflected on the weight of his decision, describing it as one of the toughest he’s faced. He expressed the difficulty of leaving a place filled with meaningful relationships and experiences. Yet, after much contemplation and prayer, he feels at peace with this next chapter in both his life and basketball career.
Hailing from Poulsbo, Washington, Orness joined Gonzaga as a walk-on and redshirted during the 2024-25 season. His hard work paid off when he earned a scholarship for the 2025-26 season, as confirmed by his father, Scott, in a conversation with The Spokesman-Review last November. During his time on the court, Orness appeared in eight games off the bench, contributing three points, one rebound, and one steal.
Standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing 185 pounds, Orness made a name for himself at North Kitsap. Under the guidance of his father, who was also his coach, he set a school record with 1,821 career points and earned accolades as the 2024 Olympic League MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. As he enters the transfer portal, Orness is poised to bring his talent and determination to a new team, ready to continue his basketball journey.