Gonzaga's frontcourt is about to get a serious international boost. Izan Almansa, a 6-foot-10 Spanish forward/center with professional experience in both Europe and the NBA G League, has reportedly committed to the Bulldogs—marking another major shift in the ever-evolving landscape of college basketball.
Just last June, Almansa was sitting in the green room at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, waiting for his name to be called in the NBA Draft. It never came. Now, instead of chasing a professional contract overseas, the 20-year-old is eyeing a spot in one of the most formidable frontcourts in the nation. It's a move that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, but in today's NCAA climate, it's becoming more common.
Almansa, who has spent the last two seasons playing professionally with Real Madrid and the NBA G League Ignite, reportedly gave his verbal commitment to Gonzaga on Tuesday, according to Spanish journalist Oscar Herreros. However, a source close to the program told The Spokesman-Review that while the Zags are counting on Almansa to join the roster this fall, "complex eligibility issues" make his addition "far from official" at this point.
The eligibility hurdles likely stem from his time with the G League Ignite during the 2023-24 season and his decision to stay in the NBA Draft last year after playing for the Perth Wildcats in Australia's NBL. Almansa was considered a second-round prospect and was one of just 12 players invited to the draft's second day. He ended up being the only one in the green room not selected. He later signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Philadelphia 76ers and played four Summer League games, where he teamed up with former Gonzaga guard Hunter Sallis.
If Almansa ultimately suits up for the Zags, he'll join a growing list of players who have navigated similar paths. Last season, former second-round pick James Nnaji—who played for FC Barcelona in the same Spanish league where Almansa currently competes—enrolled at Baylor and appeared in 18 games. The Zags also faced Thierry Darlan, a former Ignite teammate of Almansa, when he played for Santa Clara last season. Darlan became the first ex-G Leaguer to gain NCAA eligibility, setting a precedent that has opened the door for players like Almansa.
Most recently, former Ignite guard Dink Pate joined Providence after multiple stops in the NBA's developmental league. Almansa's potential addition to Gonzaga would continue this trend, bringing a seasoned, high-upside big man to a program that knows how to develop talent for the next level.