Zags got dudes!
Virginia transfer Jalen Warley chose Gonzaga for his final season of college eligibility over the likes of Iowa State and Texas A&M. His decision to leave the Cavaliers without ever having to suit up for the program came right after the unexpected retirement from coach Tony Bennett. Warley took a visit to Spokane for the 113-54 beating of UMass Lowell and immediately knew that was the place for him to be. He actually ended up cancelling his visit to Texas A&M.
“It makes sense why they’ve been so successful at a high level and why people love to come play for Gonzaga… I really like the pace they play at and really the success they’ve had over a long period of time is really attractive.” – Jalen Warley via Theo Lawson of the Spokesman Review
Warley, a former top-50 recruit in the ‘21 class, transferred to UVA this offseason after spending the first three years of his career at Florida State. Averaged 7.5 PPG last season. Entered the portal after Virginia head coach Tony Bennett decided to retire. pic.twitter.com/ZZ6f2DiT8o
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) November 25, 2024
The defensive-minded combo guard spent the first three seasons of his collegiate career with Florida State where he was influenced under now Gonzaga assistant coach R-Jay Barsh. While with the Seminoles, Warley averaged 6.0 PPG, 2.9 APG, 2.5 RPG and 1.3 SPG in 96 games played.
At 6’7 and 205 pounds, he brings length and versatility to the future Gonzaga backcourt. Along with being a lockdown defender towards any primary ball handler or out on the wing (similar to Emmanuel Innocenti), Warley has great touch on his passes and can act as a facilitator.
“I enjoyed the family atmosphere and culture they have built there that allows them to be one of the premier programs in the country. I will bring a versatile skillset that can run a team and create for myself and others.” – Jalen Warley via Adam Zagoria
Warley plans to redshirt this season along with Colgate transfer Braeden Smith. With the Zags losing a lot of talent after this season (Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman, Khalif Battle, Michael Ajayi, Ben Gregg), this reload of the two highly-skilled guards couldn’t come at a better time.
Dusty Stromer, Braden Huff, Emmanuel Innocenti, Steele Venters, Ismaila Diagne, Jun Seok Yeo, and Davis Fogle along with the two experienced transfers would make for an exciting 2025-26 roster. Gonzaga currently has three open scholarship spots for next season.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho