Zags' Norvell declares for NBA draft

SPOKANE­ — Gonzaga redshirt sophomore guard Zach Norvell Jr. will submit his name for the 2019 NBA draft, he announced Saturday.

Norvell becomes the third Zag to declare for the June 20 draft.

Under newly adopted NCAA rules, college players are allowed to retain the services of an agent during the evaluation process. If they choose to return to school, they must end the relationship with the agent and they will not lose any eligibility.

“Zach has been an absolute joy to coach and a tremendous asset to this program,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. “As with all of our guys that go through this process, we will help provide accurate information to Zach from the correct people to assist him in making the best decision.”

After starting 36 of the Zags’ 37 games this season, Norvell was named first-team All-West Coast Conference and second-team All-District by the NABC. He averaged 14.9 points and 3.14 assists per game during his redshirt sophomore season. He led the WCC with 97 made 3-pointers this season, making 37 percent of his shots from behind the arc. His 97 made shots from 3-point range ranks third all-time in program history for most in a single season. The Chicago native was second on the team with 47 steals in 2018-19.

“I would like to thank God for the opportunity to play this game for such an incredible program,” Norvell said. “I have grown so much from my first day at Gonzaga both on and off the court. I’d like to thank Coach Few and the entire GU coaching staff for the past three years, and for their support with this decision. I would like to announce my intentions to declare for the NBA Draft. I am excited to have this chance to fulfill my dream. I want to thank my family, teammates, coaching staff, and Zags fans for their support.”

After redshirting in 2016-17, Norvell has made 174 3-pointers at 37 percent the past two seasons. He joined the Bulldogs’ 1,000-point scoring club this season, having scored 1,023 points in his career. He shot 83.6 percent from the free-throw line (163 of 195) over his first two seasons at Gonzaga. He was named the 2018 WCC Newcomer of the Year.

Norvell has not yet determined his final status. As in years past, players can submit paperwork to receive evaluations from the NBA and participate — if invited — in the NBA Draft Combine. At this time, Norvell plans to utilize the current rules in place. He has until May 29 to make a final decision as to whether he wishes to remain in the draft or return for a redshirt junior season at GU.

While Norvell has played, Gonzaga has advanced to an Elite Eight and a Sweet 16. The Zags have gone 65-9 overall and 33-1 in West Coast Conference league play, with two conference regular season titles.

Earlier this past week, Zags junior forwards Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke declared for the NBA draft. Hachimura is expected to remain in the draft; Clarke, like Norvell, has retained his option to return to GU.