The Gonzaga Bulldogs’ 28-point loss to UConn in the Elite Eight brought more than just an end to the team’s 31-win season.
Each Zag returned to Spokane facing a career-altering question.
For Malachi Smith, the decision is whether to stay at Gonzaga, enter the transfer portal or declare for the NBA Draft.
Dominick Harris, Hunter Sallis and Efton Reid III already made up their minds, choosing to explore other programs in hopes of furthering their own careers.
Julian Strawther announced on Monday that he is entering the 2023 NBA Draft.
Smith hasn’t hinted at anything but if he decides to return, the door is wide open for him to start next season.
After winning Southern Conference Player of the Year in 2021-22 at Chattanooga, Smith joined Gonzaga last season where he was the first player off Mark Few’s bench.
Smith averaged 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game for the Zags, earning West Coast Conference Sixth Man of the Year honors.
He was by far Gonzaga’s most efficient guard during the NCAA Tournament, which saw him shoot 57.1% from the field and 55.6% from deep. The team’s starting backcourt, Nolan Hickman and Rasir Bolton, shot a combined 4-for-23 on 3s in that span.
Bolton's graduation, along with Harris and Sallis entering the transfer portal and Strawther declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft, leaves a gaping hole in Gonzaga's backcourt. Those rotation minutes need to be filled and Smith could see an increased role in an offense that ranked No. 1 in the nation last season. Smith's ability to control pace and limit turnovers has helped him thrive in Few’s system, which encourages players to push the tempo and run in transition.
If placed in the starting lineup, his 6-foot-4 frame could offset Hickman’s 6-foot-2 build that is dwarfed by some Power 5 guards. The Belleville, Illinois, native is also a natural combo guard, making him the perfect fit to play alongside Hickman, who is still a developing scorer.
On the defensive end, Smith’s length allows him to stay in front of opponents around the perimeter. He had the fifth-best defensive rating on the team last season.
In the case Smith decides to enter the transfer portal, he would immediately become one of the top guards on the market. Most players don't possess his level of versatility and experience, something teams value when building their roster to win a national title.
There’s also a chance Smith makes a run at the NBA, but it’s hard to assess his current draft stock since most mock drafts don’t have him listed. If he declares for the draft, it will be his third time doing so, which exhausts his college eligibility.
Still, running it back with the Zags would give Smith another year to prove himself in a bigger role on one of the premier programs in the country.
It's clear that Smith has a lot to consider. Will he be the latest guard to leave Gonzaga? Is he ready for the NBA? Is staying with the Bulldogs his best option?
Let us know what you think:
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