In a move that signals his full commitment to college basketball, Gonzaga commit Isiah Harwell has decided to withdraw from the NBA Draft and skip this week's G League Elite Camp in Chicago. The decision comes just a month after the Houston transfer announced his pledge to the Bulldogs, and it keeps him firmly focused on the next chapter of his career.
Harwell, a guard who averaged 3.6 points and 2.0 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game during his freshman season with the Cougars, wasn't projected as a top NBA prospect. However, entering the draft process allowed him to gather valuable feedback from league evaluators. His withdrawal, reported by DraftExpress's Jonathan Givony, comes well before the May 27 deadline for college players to pull their names from consideration. International prospects, including fellow Gonzaga guard commit Jack Kayil, have until June 13 to make a similar decision.
The Elite Camp, set for this weekend at Chicago's Wintrust Arena, will still feature Gonzaga forward Graham Ike. The All-American and West Coast Conference Player of the Year is part of a talented scrimmage roster that includes NC State's Quadir Copeland, North Carolina's Seth Trimble, and Purdue's Trey Kaufman-Renn, among others. Ike's participation gives Zags fans a chance to see one of their stars test his skills against top competition.
Harwell's path to Gonzaga was paved by his standout high school career at Wasatch Academy, where he was a top-20 prospect nationally. He's the first of two Big 12 transfers to commit to the Bulldogs recently, with Arizona State center Massamba Diop—considered one of the best big men available in the transfer portal—also choosing Spokane over Big East champion St. John's.
Looking ahead, future Gonzaga center Sam Funches is set to compete for a spot on the U-18 Team USA roster. The four-star prospect from Madison, Mississippi, will head to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for a training camp starting May 21. Only 12 of the 35 participants will make the final cut for the 2026 FIBA Men's AmeriCup in Leon, Mexico, from June 1-7.
For Gonzaga fans, Harwell's decision is a clear vote of confidence in the program's direction. With a mix of experienced transfers and promising young talent, the Bulldogs are building a roster that could make noise in the coming seasons.