Former Lakeland star Haaland accepts preferred walk-on offer from Zags

Noah Haaland, who helped Lakeland High reach the state 4A boys basketball tournament in 2021, has accepted a preferred walk-on offer from Gonzaga, he announced on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

“I am excited to announce that I am committing to play at Gonzaga University as a preferred walk on next year,” he said. “I am looking forward to playing next season healthy. I want to thank my coaches and my teammates for helping me get to where I am now and a special thanks to my family.”

The 6-foot-9, 235-pound Haaland attended Classical Christian Academy in Post Falls, but played basketball for Lakeland, where he was an all-4A Inland Empire League selection as a junior and senior.

He spent the past three season at Allan Hancock (junior) College in Santa Maria, Calif.

As a freshman in the 2021-22 season, Haaland saw action in 27 games, starting 25, averaging 7.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.

He redshirted in 2022-23 due to an injury to his left foot.

In 2023-24, Haaland played in 30 games, starting two, and averaging 7.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.

Noah’s father, Dale, played two seasons at Gonzaga (1985-87), averaging 9.4 points and 6.3 rebounds as a junior, and 10.6 points and 7.1 boards as a senior. Before that, he played two seasons at Community Colleges of Spokane.

Noah’s mother, the former Robyn Benson, played volleyball at Gonzaga after a standout career at Coeur d’Alene High.