The NCAA transfer portal is officially open, marking the start of a critical roster-building period for every college basketball program. For the Gonzaga Bulldogs, the work to construct a competitive 2026-27 squad is already underway, with several key departures to address.

The Zags have seen four players enter the portal: graduate wing Steele Venters, junior wing Emmanuel Innocenti, redshirt junior guard Braeden Smith, and redshirt freshman guard Cade Orness. Innocenti's exit is particularly notable, as it leaves a void in the defensive intensity and versatility that often fueled the team's transition game.

Looking at the current roster landscape, Gonzaga has ten of its fifteen spots filled for next season. The returning core includes redshirt junior guard Joaquim Arauz-Moore. They are also bolstered by a solid incoming freshman class, ranked No. 23 nationally by 247 Sports, featuring four-star prospects Luca Foster, Sam Funches, and Jack Kayil.

This leaves five scholarships available, and the coaching staff, led by Mark Few, is actively scouring the portal for impact players. The need for consistent, high-level three-point shooting is a clear priority. Names with previous recruiting ties to Gonzaga have already surfaced, including Notre Dame guard Jalen Haralson and Virginia Tech guard Neoklis Avdalas.

As the portal remains open until April 21st, expect Gonzaga to be aggressive. The coming weeks will be crucial for filling those final roster spots and ensuring the Bulldogs remain a formidable force in the pursuit of another deep March run.