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As it stands right now, Gonzaga is considered to be a top 10 or 15 team by most publications next season. The main reason for that is what appears to be an absolutely dominant frontline which features seniors Kyle Wiltjer and Przemek Karnowski alongside sophomore Domantas Sabonis. Over the past several days, however, the Bulldogs prospects for next year have become a little more unclear as we have confirmed both Wiltjer and Karnowski are weighing their future options and may have played their last game at Gonzaga University.
Many prominent NBA and college basketball analysts have weighed in on the Wiltjer and Karnowski rumors. Here is a spattering of thoughts...
Gonzaga's Kyle Wiltjer is considering declaring for NBA, sources confirm to ESPN. NBA execs just told me he might go undrafted.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) April 13, 2015
Yikes! We don't even have a draft card for Wiltjer. Never heard a scout who thought he was a NBA player. https://t.co/kVwSExFAvj
— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) April 13, 2015
Not sure I get NBA guys bashing Kyle Wiltjer's NBA prospects. I think he should come back also, but I think he plays in the NBA for a while.
— Jeff (BPredict) (@BPredict) April 14, 2015
Most of these thoughts revolve around Wiltjer as he is the more visible player for Gonzaga but the popular thought is that both would go undrafted unless something massively changed between now and the draft. The likely scenario in my mind is that both are seeking a little public opinion at this time by putting feelers out there that they are considering going professional.
There were rumors yesterday that Wiltjer had decided to go pro but we confirmed after that was first put out there that no decision has been made at this time.
For me, Karnowski's decision is much more interesting as he may just have the desire to return to Europe and kick off his professional career right now. I absolutely believe that he would be a draft pick after he returns for his senior season at Gonzaga but with Sabonis poised for a breakout year, you have to wonder if he opts to leave Spokane. In Wiltjer's case, he is going to be a preseason All-American and if he builds off his stellar junior season, I can't imagine he would not be a first round pick in the following NBA Draft.
Logically, it makes sense for both to return but with so many professional options available, you really just never know and there are surprises each and every year. We'll keep you posted as we hear any developments.