Gonzaga Navigates Braden Huff’s Absence as Recovery Timeline Remains Unclear
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Gonzaga’s frontcourt has been operating without one of its most dynamic weapons for the past three weeks, and while Braden Huff’s return isn’t off the table, there’s still no clear timeline for when-or if-the junior forward will rejoin the lineup this season.
Huff, Gonzaga’s second-leading scorer at 17.8 points per game and a steady presence on the glass with 5.6 rebounds, suffered a left knee injury during practice ahead of the Zags’ Jan. 15 trip to Washington State. Since then, he’s missed seven consecutive games, including Saturday’s 81-61 win over Oregon State.
Head coach Mark Few didn’t sugarcoat the situation postgame, acknowledging that Huff’s return isn’t imminent.
“We’re probably waiting to make a final decision or make a final announcement,” Few said. “It’s not even close right now, so we’ll see. I think we’re at week three now, right?”
The original recovery window was estimated at four to eight weeks-an open-ended timeline that leaves the door cracked for a potential return before or during the West Coast Conference Tournament, which tips off March 5 in Las Vegas. But with each passing game, the Zags are learning how to adapt without one of their most efficient offensive weapons.
Huff initially stayed with the team following the injury, traveling with the squad to Pullman on Jan. 15.
Shortly after, he returned home to Glen Ellyn, Illinois, where he’s been rehabbing and undergoing physical therapy. Gonzaga has yet to disclose the specifics of the injury or whether it required surgery, keeping the situation largely under wraps.
Still, the emotional support from teammates hasn’t wavered.
“I was just telling him to keep good thoughts in his mind, to always just speak life into himself and try to keep laughter up,” said forward Graham Ike, who’s shared the frontcourt spotlight with Huff this season. “That’s a big thing when it comes to healing-just trying to laugh all the time and stay out of those dark side thoughts and just be around good people.
“He’s at home right now, he’s feeling the love I’m sure and just getting in his good (physical therapy) and just getting back ready for whenever.”
On the court, Gonzaga has gone 6-1 without Huff, but that record doesn’t tell the full story. The Zags dropped a key conference road game at Portland on Wednesday, falling 87-80 in a contest that exposed the challenges of replacing Huff’s offensive efficiency and floor spacing. His absence has forced Gonzaga to reshuffle its rotation and lean more heavily on other contributors in the frontcourt.
One silver lining? Graham Ike is heating up at the right time.
After missing time himself with a right ankle sprain, the big man has returned with a vengeance. He matched his career-high with 35 points in Saturday’s win over Oregon State and is averaging 29.2 points over his last five games.
His resurgence has helped stabilize the team, but there’s no question Gonzaga is still missing the versatility and scoring punch that Huff brings to the table.
As the Zags move deeper into WCC play and inch closer to March, the clock is ticking. Whether Huff makes it back or not, Gonzaga’s path forward will depend on how well they continue to adapt without one of their most impactful players.