Skylar Wicks, the hybrid wing transfer from Saint Francis Red Wolves, has officially decommitted from Gonzaga and reopened his recruitment. This bombshell, confirmed by his agent Richie Felder, hit just 24 hours after the Zags landed Florida Gators lead guard Xaivian Lee, adding another wild twist to what many are calling the craziest offseason in college basketball history. Wicks was initially brought in for the 2026-27 roster, having committed back in June. He even managed to snag an NCAA waiver in August, giving him an additional year of eligibility thanks to his 2024-25 season with the UTSA Roadrunners. But let’s be honest, it was always gonna be a grind for the 26-year-old journeyman to crack Coach Mark Few’s rotation, especially with Lee now in the mix. His departure, while perhaps not a total shocker, technically leaves the Bulldogs with 14 of 15 roster spots filled for the upcoming season.
Few’s Chess Game: Who’s Really In?
But don’t let that “14 of 15” fool you: this roster is far from being officially complete. It’s a legitimate puzzle Mark Few is piecing together for the 2026-27 campaign. On the confirmed side, you’ve got solid additions like fifth-year point guard Xaivian Lee, the Florida Gators transfer, and sophomore guard/wing Isiah Harwell, who came over from the Houston Cougars. Then there’s sophomore wing Davis Fogle, redshirt senior power forward Braden Huff, and sophomore center Massamba Diop, an Arizona State Sun Devils transfer, all looking to make an impact. Plus, we’ve got freshman combo guard Juwan Ekanga-Ehawa from France’s JL Bourg, and fifth-year forward Chauncey Wiggins, a transfer from Florida State. Even with these names, the real drama is in the limbo lounge, where several key players are just waiting to hear if they can even hit the court.
The Eligibility Limbo
This is where the roster really gets complicated for the Zags. Point guard Nathan De Sousa, hailing from France’s Cholet Basket, and forward/center Izan Almansa from Spain’s Real Madrid, are both stuck in a holding pattern, awaiting crucial international eligibility waivers. That’s two potential impact players who can’t suit up without the green light! Then there’s fifth-year point guard Javon Bennett, a transfer from the Dayton Flyers, who’s already been told he’s not permitted to play after an NCAA stay in the state of Ohio. And don’t forget redshirt freshman power forward/small-ball center Parker Jefferson, who needs the NCAA to approve his college eligibility. Factor in promising 2026 high school recruits like four-star wing Luca Foster and four-star center Sam Funches, alongside preferred walk-on wing Carter Nelson, and walk-on sophomore point guard Alonzo Metz, who thankfully doesn’t count against the limit, and you realize this isn’t just about filling spots; it’s about navigating a bureaucratic maze.
Mark Few and the Zags are clearly playing a high-stakes game of roster roulette for the 2026-27 season. With Skylar Wicks out and so many other pieces still up in the air, the true identity of this Gonzaga team is far from set. Our state’s premier college hoops program is once again proving that the offseason can be just as thrilling and unpredictable as game day. Every waiver decision, every eligibility ruling, could swing the momentum for this squad. We’re all watching to see how this puzzle finally comes together for the Bulldogs.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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