Big Sky MVP Steele Venters transferring to Gonzaga

Steele Venters, the Big Sky Conference's Most Valuable Player, announced Friday that he is transferring from Eastern Washington to nearby Gonzaga.

Venters, a swingman, entered the transfer portal after averaging 15.3 points, making 78 3-pointers and earning the league's top individual honor for the Eagles, who went 23-11 this season. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

"It's go time!" Venters said on Twitter while displaying a photo of himself in a Gonzaga uniform with the word "committed."

Eastern Washington is located in Cheyney, Wash., which is less than 20 miles away from the Gonzaga campus in Spokane.

Eastern Washington reportedly was the lone Division I program to offer Venters a scholarship out of high school.

After redshirting in 2019-20 and playing sparingly the following season, Venters broke out in 2021-22 by averaging 16.7 points and making 86 3-pointers at a 43.4 percent clip for the Eagles.

After entering the transfer portal, he was a highly sought transfer and reportedly received interest from Southern California, Oregon, Washington, Creighton, Wisconsin, Missouri and Florida among others.

The Bulldogs are rebuilding their roster with Drew Timme and Rasir Bolton done with their college careers and decisions looming for Julian Strawther, Anton Watson and Malachi Smith. In addition, reserves Hunter Sallis, Dominick Harris and Efton Reid have entered the transfer portal.