Gonzaga Professional Athletes

Four Bulldogs are generating headlines as NBA training camps open — and the storylines couldn't be more different.

Holmgren Owns His Moment (and His Mistake)

Chet Holmgren enters 2026-27 as the most prominent Gonzaga alum in the league, fresh off a breakout season that earned him his first All-Star nod, an All-Defensive First Team selection, and a runner-up finish for Defensive Player of the Year. But what stuck with everyone was Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals — a four-point dud against Victor Wembanyama that ended Oklahoma City's title defense.

Holmgren hasn't run from it. At training camp media day, he addressed the Spurs collapse head-on, saying he plans to use the adversity as fuel. Teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made clear he hasn't lost an ounce of faith in him. Holmgren also added weight in the offseason to address durability questions — a development Thunder fans have been anxiously awaiting. And in a sign of just how quickly he's grown within the organization, the 24-year-old has taken rookie center Thomas Sorber under his wing, mentoring the first-round pick through his own injury recovery. The kid who once needed guidance is now the veteran dispensing it.

Sabonis Shuts Down the Exit Ramp

The offseason noise around Domantas Sabonis reached a peak when a Bleacher Report trade concept floated him to the Toronto Raptors. Sabonis wasn't impressed. The Kings big man publicly called the rumors "made up" and dismissed them with the kind of bluntness that only comes from someone who isn't going anywhere. He also provided a clean injury update at training camp, signaling Sacramento should have him ready to go when the season tips off. With the Kings looking to take a step forward in 2026-27, Sabonis shutting down the trade chatter early removes one major distraction from the locker room.

Suggs Looks to Rebuild Trust in Orlando

Jalen Suggs had a rough ending to his 2025-26 season — and he's not pretending otherwise. The Magic blew a 3-1 first-round lead to the Detroit Pistons, extending their streak of consecutive opening-round exits to three. Suggs opened training camp with a public apology to Magic fans at Media Day, taking accountability for the collapse.

But he's also looking ahead. Suggs has outlined specific goals around consistency and efficiency for the coming season, aiming to elevate Orlando past its playoff ceiling. He also paused to reflect on the departure of former head coach Jamahl Mosley, sending a heartfelt message to the longtime Magic coach who shaped his development. New chapter, same gym — Suggs is betting on himself to finally turn the page.

Ryan Nembhard Earns His Shot in Denver

The younger Nembhard brother — Andrew plays for Indiana — carved out his own NBA foothold this week. Ryan Nembhard, who had been traded to the Charlotte Hornets as part of a deal involving Buddy Hield before the Hornets waived him, landed a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets. He's already drawing early praise within the organization, with reports suggesting he'll make an immediate impact for a Nuggets team built around Nikola Jokić. For a program like Gonzaga that has consistently produced pro-ready guards, Ryan's path — even if winding — fits the pattern.

Four Bulldogs. Four different situations. All of them relevant as the 2026-27 season approaches.

Gonzaga's NBA alumni have had a quietly chaotic offseason — and as training camps open, multiple Bulldogs are fighting to cement their roster spots, rewrite their narratives, or simply find a team that will have them longer than 65 days.

Ryan Nembhard: Frequent Flyer

Nobody in this class has logged more frequent-flyer miles than Ryan Nembhard. The undrafted point guard, who led all NBA rookies in assists per game with the Dallas Mavericks last season, has now been traded twice in 65 days heading into the 2026–27 campaign.

First, the Atlanta Hawks acquired him — then flipped him to the Charlotte Hornets alongside Buddy Hield and cash considerations in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith. Charlotte now holds his rights heading into training camp, and the question is whether the Hornets see him as a keeper or a placeholder. Local coverage has begun making the case for keeping him: Nembhard's playmaking and ball-movement skills fit a young Hornets backcourt that needs a distributor. For a guy who went undrafted and immediately proved he belonged in the league, landing in Charlotte could either be another layover or a real home — the answer comes when final rosters are set.

Drew Timme: Third Team, Fresh Start

Drew Timme has always bet on himself. The former Gonzaga star and fan favorite has signed with his third NBA franchise, agreeing to a deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves ahead of training camp. He previously suited up for the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers — the latter recently left with a thin frontcourt after his departure, according to Heavy Sports.

In Minnesota, Timme joins a Timberwolves team that coach Chris Finch has been building around unselfish, system-first players — a profile that fits the bruising, high-IQ forward to a tee. Whether he earns guaranteed minutes behind an established frontcourt is still an open question, but the opportunity is real.

Anton Watson: Lakers Camp, Short Stay

Fellow Bulldog Anton Watson also found his way to Los Angeles — briefly. The forward signed a training camp deal with the Lakers but was soon waived, sending him back toward the G League. Watson, Washington state's Mr. Basketball in 2019, is still working toward a permanent NBA foothold.

Chet Holmgren: Proving Season Ahead

On the other end of the spectrum is Chet Holmgren, who enters 2026–27 with something to prove after a difficult Western Conference Finals showing against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti has gone on record expressing full confidence in his star center ahead of the new season, and Holmgren has been ranked lower than expected in preseason NBA player rankings — extra fuel for a player with obvious All-Star upside.

Domantas Sabonis: Trade Buzz Won't Quit

In Sacramento, Domantas Sabonis continues to be the subject of persistent trade speculation. The Kings have been pursuing Jalen Duren from the Detroit Pistons in a potential sign-and-trade, though the two teams appear to be far apart. Sabonis remains one of the league's most productive big men, but Sacramento's front office appears intent on pivoting — leaving the former Gonzaga big man's future murky heading into camp.

Five Bulldogs, five different stories. That's the Gonzaga NBA pipeline in 2026: wide enough to keep alumni across the league, and competitive enough that nobody's spot is guaranteed.

Remembering Brandon Clarke

The most poignant Gonzaga story this week has nothing to do with wins and losses. Four months after Brandon Clarke's shocking death — and on what would have been his 30th birthday — the Memphis Grizzlies announced a season-long tribute to the former Bulldog forward. Clarke will be honored with a jersey patch worn throughout the 2026–27 campaign, with a dedicated ceremony planned for the team's home opener. For a franchise still processing grief, the gesture is as much for the locker room as it is for the fans. Clarke spent his entire NBA career in Memphis after starring at Gonzaga, and the organization has made clear his memory won't fade when the season tips off.

Chet Holmgren: Cornerstone or Trade Chip?

Chet Holmgren is simultaneously one of the most valuable and most discussed names in NBA trade circles — and both facts are connected. The Thunder center, a DPOY finalist, is being tabbed as a statistical X-factor in Oklahoma City's push for a title alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with projections suggesting his defensive presence becomes even more critical following the roster turnover around SGA. But at least one ESPN insider believes OKC will eventually part with either Holmgren or Jalen Williams before the 2027 offseason, a natural consequence of a team that has built more talent than it can keep on one payroll. For now, Holmgren remains a Thunder cornerstone — just one that's drawing eyeballs from around the league.

Sabonis Stuck in Trade Purgatory

Domantas Sabonis isn't going anywhere fast, and that might be the most Sacramento Kings thing imaginable. The Kings' asking price for their three-time All-Star remains steep enough that the Charlotte Hornets — reportedly the most aggressive suitor all offseason — have yet to advance to serious talks, per NBA insider Jake Fischer. Sabonis, meanwhile, made a heartfelt public return to Spokane amid the swirling rumors, a reminder that Gonzaga remains home base no matter how uncertain his NBA future looks. The Kings aren't close to a deal, according to multiple reports, which means the drama rolls into training camp unresolved.

Anton Watson's Training Camp Shot

The week brought a smaller but meaningful development for another Zag: Anton Watson signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, earning a training camp opportunity with the franchise that already employs fellow Gonzaga alum Drew Timme. Watson, 25, was selected 54th overall by Boston in the 2024 draft after five seasons in Spokane, where he earned All-WCC First Team honors as a senior. He averaged 11 points per game for the South Bay Lakers last season. The Exhibit 10 deal is a training camp invite, not a roster guarantee — and indeed, the Lakers subsequently waived Watson before the preseason opened — but the door cracked open for a stretch forward who has spent his post-draft career fighting for one.

Gonzaga's NBA footprint this week ranged from tribute patches to trade rumors to a young forward on the fringe of a roster. It's a reminder of how wide — and how human — the Bulldog pipeline actually runs.