Gonzaga adds transfers Nembhard, Ike
SPOKANE — Gonzaga men's basketball had a big day in the transfer portal Friday morning, securing commitments from Creighton point guard Ryan Nembhard and Wyoming forward Graham Ike.
Both announced their transfer intentions on social media; Gonzaga issued a news release announcing the addition of Ike.
The 6-foot, 170-pound Nembhard is the younger brother of former Zag Andrew Nembhard, who recently completed his rookie season with the Indiana Pacers.
Ryan Nembhard played two seasons at Creighton, helping lead the Bluejays to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in March, averaging 12.1 points and 4.8 assists.
He was the Big East Freshman of the Year in 2021-22.
The 6-foot-9, 255-pound Ike averaged nearly a double-double in 2021-22. He sat out this past season with an injury.
“Graham is exactly the big guy we’ve been looking for and in need of for next season,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. “After having him up for a visit and meeting he and his mom, he’s just going to be the perfect fit for our program. He is a young man of high character, who is really focused and a hard worker. He has shown himself to be a highly effective player over the years.”
During the 2021-22 season, Ike averaged 19.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game as Wyoming went 25-9 and made the NCAA Tournament. He posted 17 points and nine rebounds in the Cowboys' loss to Indiana in the First Four. He was named first team All-Mountain West Conference by the media and second team by the coaches. Ike was second in the league in scoring and rebounding.
Ike sat out this past season due to an injury to his lower right leg. He was the Mountain West Conference Preseason Player of the Year coming into 2022-23. The Aurora, Colo., native has three years of eligibility remaining.
Ike graduated from Overland High in Aurora. His senior season was cut short due to injury, but in his limited action he recorded 12 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. As a junior, Ike was named second team All-Colorado by USA Today. He recorded 17.6 points per game and 12 rebounds during his junior campaign. He helped lead his team to be ranked sixth in Colorado.
The Zags have now landed three players from the transfer portal this offseason, recently securing a commitment from Eastern Washington swingman Steele Venters.
Gonzaga lost three to the portal following the season — guards Dominick Harris and Hunter Sallis, and center Efton Reid III.
Guards Julian Strawther and Malachi Smith have declared for the NBA draft, forward Drew Timme has announced he will not return for a fifth season at GU, and forward Anton Watson has not announced whether or not he will return for a fifth season.
Gonzaga women add Utah transfer Ojukwu
SPOKANE — Gonzaga women’s basketball coach Lisa Fortier announced the addition of Naya Ojukwu, a 6-foot forward transfer from the University of Utah.
Ojukwu, from Mountain View High in Meridian, played in four games during her freshman year at Utah. She averaged 5.3 minutes, 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds.
In high school, Ojukwu was the 2020-21 Gatorade Idaho Player of the Year and was a three-time Class 5A all-Idaho honoree. Ojukwu led Mountain View to two straight Idaho Class 5A state titles and averaged 24.2 points and 10 rebounds, per game as a junior. She missed most of her senior year with a knee injury.
“Naya is a great athlete, and has a diverse skill set,” Fortier said. “She is capable of playing multiple positions for us and will be able to score from all areas of the floor.”
