Gonzaga didn’t have to wait long to see what Izan Almansa could bring.
The 6-foot-10 forward learned just before the team’s flight to Fayetteville that he would be eligible this season, and by Saturday afternoon he had already delivered a strong first impression in Gonzaga’s 76-72 exhibition loss at Arkansas. Less than 48 hours after finding out he was cleared, Almansa looked like one of the Zags’ most dependable pieces on the floor.
He finished with 14 points, second-most on the team, while playing 29 minutes. Almansa added six rebounds, two blocks and an assist, going 5-for-7 on two-point attempts and 1-for-2 from beyond the arc in a performance that gave Gonzaga a needed lift.
"That's a big gift for us," Braden Huff said of Almansa's eligibility after the game. "He was huge today and I expect that from him all season. For him to be eligible is great, it's going to be really good for us."
Almansa’s outing showed the different ways he can matter. He found open space around the basket when Diop or Huff drew extra attention, creating easy finishes at the rim. He also stretched out to hit a corner three and led Gonzaga with two blocked shots, including one at the halftime buzzer against Arkansas guard and potential No. 1 pick Jordan Smith Jr.
Even if Saturday was his collegiate debut, Almansa arrived with real basketball mileage behind him. The Spain native had previously played for Real Madrid, suited up for the G League Ignite as a teenager in 2023-24, and spent time in the NBL with the Perth Wildcats.
That background also helps explain the timing. Almansa wasn’t cleared by the NCAA until Friday, but he still managed to step into a major role almost immediately and give Gonzaga a productive night in its first exhibition test of the weekend.
For the Zags, he profiles as the third big man, backing up both Huff and Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop. Huff had 19 points and 11 rebounds on Saturday, while Diop was limited to 16 minutes because of foul trouble.
Almansa’s arrival gives Gonzaga something it would have sorely needed otherwise: frontcourt experience at all times. Without him, the Zags would have had to lean on sophomore Parker Jefferson, who redshirted last season, or true freshman Sam Funches whenever Huff or Diop needed a breather - a setup that could have been vulnerable in a tougher matchup.
Gonzaga gets one more tune-up before the season begins, facing local NAIA opponent Lewis-Clark State on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Tipoff is set for 6:00 PM PT, with the game airing locally on KHQ.
In Other News...
Gonzaga's First Exhibition Exposed A Bigger Concern Than The Loss
Gonzagas first exhibition game brought the kind of early-season reminder every team gets sooner or later: the result matters, but the bigger concern can be what the box score doesnt fully explain. Arkansas held off the Bulldogs 76-72 in a game that swung back and forth, and both sides walked away with plenty to clean up. Gonzaga had trouble finding a rhythm from deep, while Arkansas made its living on defensive rebounds and trips to the free-throw line.
The more sobering part for Gonzaga was the absence of Davis Fogle, who sat out with a leg issue and left the Bulldogs without one of the pieces they were counting on. Arkansas coach John Calipari pointed to that missing presence as a major factor in how the game played out, which only sharpened the sense that Gonzagas exhibition opener was about more than a narrow loss. For a team still sorting out its early identity, the injury concern may linger longer than the final score. [Read more 🡒]
Mark Few Still Has One Big Gonzaga Problem To Solve
Gonzaga got a first look at its point guard picture in the exhibition against Arkansas, and the early read was mixed at best. Javon Bennett, Xaivian Lee and Nathan de Sousa all saw action in the 76-72 loss, with Lee getting the start as the staff tried to sort out how the backcourt might take shape around a group with very different backgrounds and roles.
The problem, for now, is that the three guards did not provide much offense when the lights came on. Mark Few pointed to the shooting struggles after the game, and Bennett in particular seemed to be working through more than just a rough night, with his availability only being settled shortly before tipoff. Lee stood out most among the trio, but the overall performance left Gonzaga with plenty to clean up before the real games begin. [Read more 🡒]
Gonzagas First Top 15 Test Exposed One Early Concern
The first real test of Gonzagas season arrived in familiar heavyweight fashion, with No. 12 Arkansas pushing the Bulldogs around just enough to leave Bud Walton Arena with a 76-72 exhibition win. Gonzaga had built a 10-point edge late in the first half before the Razorbacks turned the game with a relentless run, and the Bulldogs still had a chance to claw back late despite the change in momentum. Braden Huff supplied a strong all-around effort with 19 points and 11 rebounds, giving Gonzaga a frontline presence it can build on.
What stood out just as much was how hard points were to come by from the perimeter, an issue Gonzaga will have to sort through before the games start counting. Arkansas held up well defensively after the midgame swing, while Billy Richmond III led the way with 17 points as the Razorbacks protected their lead the rest of the way. For a Gonzaga team that expects to play in March-level games all season, the exhibition offered an early reminder that one of the first things to clean up is the outside shot. [Read more 🡒]