2019 Recruiting: Gonzaga offers 7’3 Matt Van Komen out of Utah

The Gonzaga Bulldogs offered center Matt Van Komen a spot on the squad on Friday evening. Van Komen is a 7’3 player from Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Someone who is that tall already might bring back some pained memories of Will Foster. The old basketball adage of being a big man “you can’t coach seven feet” only goes so far as the talent goes. Van Komen is a bit different, however.

He is ranked as the second-best player coming out of Utah, the 16th best center in the nation, and the No. 73 player overall according to 247Sports. There is some actual potential running through that lanky frame, and the Zags are trying to chomp down on it early.

Speaking of lanky, Van Komen fits the bill, as you would imagine a sophomore in high school who has lived through a relentlessly consistent growth spurt. He’ll have to put on a decent amount of weight to be a force at the next level, but still has plenty of time to do so.

The Zags are thin up front with what will be still on the squad in 2019. After making offers to multiple guards earlier this month, it is good to see the Zags putting in some focus down low, and getting it done a bit under the radar.