The Gonzaga Bulldogs have set their sights on the international market as they finalize their 2026-27 roster, and they've just landed a major piece from across the Atlantic.
Izan Almansa, a 6-foot-10 forward/center from Real Madrid, has committed to the Zags, according to reports from La Xarxa's Oscar Herreros. The 20-year-old Spanish prospect adds significant depth to an already formidable frontcourt in Spokane, joining incoming sophomore center Massamba Diop and redshirt senior forward Braden Huff. Assistant coach and Director of Basketball Operations Jorge Sanz, who has deep ties to Spanish basketball, played a key role in bringing Almansa aboard.
Almansa's basketball journey reads like a global tour. The Murcia native has crisscrossed the basketball world, from his time with Real Madrid to a stint in the NBA Summer League with the Philadelphia 76ers. He went undrafted in 2025 after testing the draft waters, but his pedigree remains impressive.
This past season in the Liga ACB and EuroLeague, Almansa averaged 5.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in just nine minutes per game for Real Madrid—modest numbers that don't fully capture his potential. His experience playing against elite European competition, however, is invaluable.
The connections run deep here. Almansa was teammates with incoming Gonzaga sophomore guard Mario Saint-Supery on Spain's national team during the 2024 FIBA EuroBasket qualifiers. Sanz previously coached him at the U17 and U18 levels. He even shared the court with former Zags like David Stockton, Jeremy Pargo, and Admon Gilder during his time with the G League Ignite.
There's one catch: Almansa must still receive NCAA eligibility before he can officially suit up for the Zags. If that hurdle is cleared, his experience, athleticism, and quick lateral movement for a big man will be a luxury behind Diop in the frontcourt rotation.
With this addition, Gonzaga's 2026-27 roster is shaping up to be a top-ten contender as they prepare for the start of the Pac-12 Conference era. Eleven of the 15 roster spots could be filled, including key pieces like Houston transfer Isiah Harwell, Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop, and a talented 2026 high school class featuring four-star wing Luca Foster, four-star center Sam Funches, and four-star combo guard Jack Kayil.
The Zags are building something special in Spokane, and Almansa could be the international gem that puts them over the top.