For the past 25 years, internationalization has been an important part of the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ recipe for success. From All-Americans to eventual NBA stars, there have been numerous foreign players developed by head coach Mark Few.
Former assistant coach Tommy Lloyd played a key role in landing those commitments before leaving to take the head coaching job at Arizona. Even after Lloyd’s departure, the Zags still have a strong presence on the international recruiting trail. After Korean forward Jun Seok Yeo joined the program last season, Gonzaga’s coaching staff also brought in Croatian guard Luka Krajnovic and Serbian forward Pavle Stosic as late additions during the 2023 offseason.
It’s unknown what kind of impact the trio of newcomers will have on the squad this season, but there’s no denying Gonzaga’s track record of developing international talent to have successful collegiate and even NBA careers.
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Here’s a look at the five most successful international recruits in Gonzaga men’s basketball history.
1. RUI HACHIMURA (JAPAN)
Accolades at Gonzaga: WCC Player of the Year (2019), 2x All-WCC (2018, 2019), consensus All-American (2019) NCAA Tournament All-Region (2019)
From Toyama, Japan, Hachimura is viewed as a basketball superstar in his home country as one of the few Japanese players to have success in both the NCAA Division-I level and NBA.
After bursting onto the recruiting scene at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championships in Dubai, Hachimura waited in the wings during his freshman season at Gonzaga. He took advantage of a larger role as a sophomore, earning All-WCC honors despite coming off the bench in all but just two games.
That set the stage for Hachimura’s breakout 2018-19 season, as he led the 33-4 Zags in scoring at 19.7 points to go along with 6.5 rebounds per game on 59.1% shooting from the floor. With plenty of memorable moments along the way, including a game-winning jumper against Washington at home, Hachimura took home the WCC Player of the Year award and was a consensus All-American.
After being drafted ninth overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2019 NBA Draft, injuries and mental health limited Hachimura’s time in the nation’s capital. Now with the Los Angeles Lakers, he’ll be playing a pivotal role in LA’s success during the 2023-24 NBA season after signing a three-year, $51 million deal in the offseason.
2. KELLY OLYNYK (CANADA)
Accolades at Gonzaga: WCC Player of the Year (2013), All-WCC (2013), consensus All-American (2013), All-WCC Tournament (2013)
The floppy-haired Canadian out of British Columbia ascended from a middling role player his first two seasons at Gonzaga, to one of college basketball’s most recognizable stars at the helm of one of the best teams in the program’s history.
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Olynyk didn’t exactly stand out immediately, as he averaged just 5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds behind future NBA talent Robert Sacre. Aside from limited opportunity, the 7-foot, 240-pound Olynyk needed to adjust to playing down low as opposed to out on the perimeter, a role he was familiar with as someone who played guard in high school. After taking a redshirt year to revamp his game, Olynyk returned to lead Gonzaga on a historic run in the 2012-13 season.
Olynyk was tabbed the program’s third-ever All-American as he guided the Zags to the team’s first No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press poll en route to a 32-3 record. He averaged 17.8 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 62.9% from the field on 10.7 shot attempts, many of which were from inside the paint (9.8 2-point attempts per game).
Following the stellar redshirt junior season, Olynyk was selected 13th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft and was named to the NBA all-rookie second team with the Boston Celtics. Ten years later, Olynyk is suiting up for the 2023-24 season with the Utah Jazz.
Olynyk might not have enjoyed a lengthy collegiate career at his peak, though his incredible development into a player who has adjusted his game to fit the modern NBA and is still a contributor at this stage of his career is truly remarkable.
3. RONNY TURIAF (FRANCE)
Accolades at Gonzaga: WCC Player of the Year (2005), 3x All-WCC (2003, 2004, 2005), All-WCC Tournament (2004), WCC Tournament MVP (2004)
A Bulldog by way of France by way of Martinique, Turiaf was an integral piece of three top-10 Gonzaga teams in the early 2000s, setting the standard for future success long after his career ended.
After serving as a role player his freshman season, Turiaf earned three consecutive All-WCC honors and the conference’s Player of the Year award in 2005, as he averaged 15.9 points and 9.5 rebounds on 50.8% shooting from the field. He also led the league in blocks (1.9 per game) and free-throw attempts (259).
One of the most consistent players in program history, Turiaf finished his Gonzaga career fourth on the school’s all-time scoring (1,723 points) and rebounding (859) lists and first for free-throws made (643) in a career. A two-time All-American honorable mention as well, Turiaf was inducted into the WCC Hall of Honor in 2018.
Turiaf enjoyed a 10-year NBA career after he overcame a faulty heart valve shortly after being drafted in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. Turiaf had undergone tests in France and during the pre-draft convention, where doctors had cleared him to play despite issues with his heart. There was a serious possibility he would never step onto the floor in the NBA.
Turiaf went on to fully recover, playing for seven teams from 2005 to 2015 including a championship season with the Miami Heat in 2012.
4. KEVIN PANGOS (CANADA)
Accolades at Gonzaga: WCC Player of the Year (2015), 4x All-WCC (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015), 2x All-WCC Tournament (2012, 2015), WCC All-Freshman (2012), WCC Rookie of the Year (2012)
The 6-foot-1 Canadian was as reliable a point guard as any in the nation throughout his decorated four-year career at Gonzaga.
Pangos was a full-time starter by his second game in college when he had a 33-point outburst with nine 3-pointers against Washington State. That memorable performance set the stone for a lengthy collegiate career at Gonzaga, as he owns the school record for 3-pointers made with 313. He ranks inside the program’s top 10 for career points (1,824), wins (122), games played (138), free-throws made (370) assists (536) and steals (177), putting together an all-around career as the undisputed floor general for the Zags.
Pangos took home the WCC Player of the Year award in 2015 as he helped guide Gonzaga to the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament.
After going undrafted later that spring, Pangos headed overseas where he played for clubs in Spain, Lithuania and Russia. He made the All-EuroLeague first team with Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2021. A short stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers ensued before Pangos headed back to Europe to play with Olimpia Milano.
Though Pangos’ NBA career doesn’t stack up to others on the list, his career accolades and consistency throughout his four years at Gonzaga quietly place him among one of the best point guards in program history.
5. DOMANTAS SABONIS (LITHUANIA)
Accolades at Gonzaga: 2x NCAA Tournament All-Region (2015, 2016), 2x All-WCC (2015, 2016), All-WCC Tournament (2016), WCC All-Freshman (2015)
Long before his ascension as an All-NBA caliber player with the Sacramento Kings, the 6-foot-11 Lithuanian tore up opposing defenses at Gonzaga with his high basketball IQ and overall versatility that fit perfectly into Mark Few’s offensive style of play.
Sabonis, who turned down a professional contract to play in Spain for Gonzaga instead, provided hustle and rebounding off the bench as a freshman before developing more as a low-post scorer who could also face up and knock down the mid-range jumper. In 2015-16, Sabonis averaged 17.6 points and a league-best 11.8 rebounds, earning him All-WCC honors. He elevated his play in the postseason to help guide the Zags to Elite Eight and Sweet 16 appearances.
His dominant sophomore campaign made him a highly-touted NBA prospect that spring, as he went 11th overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder via the Orlando Magic in the 2016 NBA Draft. It didn’t take long for his game to ascend to the level of all-star, and seven years into his career, Sabonis took All-NBA third-team honors as one of the best big men in the association.
Sabonis didn’t receive much national recognition during his time at Gonzaga, but he was undoubtedly one of the most NBA-ready players the school has produced.
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