The Gonzaga Bulldogs have found themselves in an unusual position with a two-year drought in the NBA draft. However, the tide seems to be turning for the Zags, with early 2027 mock drafts suggesting that 2-3 players from their roster could be hearing their names called next June.
Among the players making waves in these projections is sophomore Davis Fogle. In an exciting twist, Tankathon's latest mock draft places Fogle in the first round at No. 23 overall, while their Big Board slots him at No.
- This marks a significant leap for Fogle, who was not even on the first-round radar a year ago.
Fogle's journey to this point has been anything but typical. Standing at 6'7", the wing player had a modest start to his freshman year, averaging 6.9 points and 1.6 rebounds in just under 8 minutes per game across nine non-conference appearances. He showed flashes of his potential against lesser opponents, with standout performances like 19 points in 15 minutes against Southern Utah.
The turning point came when teammate Braden Huff suffered a season-ending injury, thrusting Fogle into a more prominent role. He embraced the opportunity, showcasing his growth as a defender and decision-maker.
Over his final 16 games, Fogle's playing time soared to nearly 24 minutes per game, and he delivered solid averages of 10.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, while shooting an impressive 58.8% on two-pointers. However, his consistency from beyond the arc and at the free-throw line left room for improvement.
Fogle's pivotal performances, such as his 13 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in the WCC Tournament championship against Santa Clara, and his 17-point effort in the NCAA Tournament first round against Kennesaw State, have set the stage for his sophomore season. Now, as Gonzaga's starting small forward, Fogle is poised for a breakout year alongside returning players Huff and Mario Saint-Supery, as well as transfer sophomores Isiah Harwell and Massamba Diop.
The potential for Fogle to shine as a 25+ minute per game star in the 2026-27 season is immense. If he can find consistency as an outside shooter and continue to develop physically, an All Pac-12 nod could be within reach. Whether this leads to an early departure for the NBA remains uncertain, but the financial incentives for staying in college are substantial unless a first-round selection is guaranteed.
Fogle's story is just one part of the draft narrative, with other notable names like Kansas wing Tyran Stokes and Maryland's Baba Oladotun also making appearances in the 2027 mock draft. Additionally, Arizona Wildcats Caleb Holt, Ivan Kharcenkov, and Mo Krivas are all projected to be in the mix, highlighting the depth of talent in next year's draft class.