Checking in on Gonzaga’s Recruits

Gonzaga missed out on some high-profile recruits over the last year, but that doesn’t mean the talent pipeline is barren. On the contrary, if recent results are anything to go by, the future still appears to be bright.

In the 2018 class, Filip Petrusev’s rise up the rankings and recent minting as an ESPN100 recruit (#52) makes him Gonzaga’s third such honoree in the last three years, joining Zach Collins and Zach Norvell. His numbers haven’t been eye-popping throughout the season, but that should be expected considering his high school team (Montverde Academy) also features RJ Barrett (#1 in the 2018 Class committed to Duke); Andrew Nembhard (#30 2018 committed to Florida); Mike Devoe (#41 2018 committed to Georgia Tech); Balsa Koprivica (#27 in the 2019 class, uncommitted); and Makhi Mitchell (#28 2019 committed to Maryland). However, his skills match the direction basketball is headed, particularly for big men, and the level of competition he’s faced this season from opponents and in practice against his own stacked team will prepare him to make the jump to Gonzaga in the fall.

Gonzaga signed rangy 3-star guard Greg Foster Jr. for its 2018 class, and he’s helped his team to an 18-5 record on the season. Foster’s only logged four double digit scoring games this season, but he’s a pass-first guard and his profile has been on the rise over the last few months. Clark High School dropped a pair of games this season to Zach Collins’ alma mater (Bishop Gorman), but will have the opportunity to get one back against Bishop Gorman later this week.

The 2019 class is comprised of strong local flavor. Guard Brock Ravet of Kittitas High (Class 2B) has been on a torrid run over the last few weeks. He broke a Yakima Valley record over the weekend with a 55 point performance against Walla Walla Valley. The double nickel outing included an absurd 15 made 3-pointers (!!), and eight assists. Ravet has now eclipsed the 2,000 point mark in his high school career. Before that game, Ravet posted 32 and 42 point performances. Ravet’s squad finished its regular season with a 19-1 record and will begin its playoff schedule this weekend.

Meanwhile, fellow 2019 commit, 6’7” forward Anton Watson, abused a lot of rims during the season on his way to helping Gonzaga Prep achieve an undefeated regular season and its third straight 4A league title. Watson had a really strong junior campaign, and I anticipate that we’ll see his name on various Top 100 lists going into his senior year. Watson and his team also begin their playoff march this weekend.