Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Gonzaga Target and High Scoring Guard Announces Surprising Transfer Portal Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andy Patton | Last updated May 23, 2025 1:16 PM ET

New Hampshire guard Sami Pissis committed to Alabama A&M in the transfer portal on Thursday after receiving interest from a variety of high major programs early in the offseason.

Pissis is coming off a fantastic season with the Wildcats, where he averaged 15.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while earning All-AEC Third Team honors. He began his college career at SE Louisiana in 2022-23 before sitting out in 2023-24 and blossoming into a high level scorer this past season.

The 6'3 guard received interest from Gonzaga back in April, as well as Maryland, Clemson, San Diego State, UNLV, New Mexico, Boise State, Washington State, and Oregon State, among many others.

UNH transfer Sami Pissis has committed to Alabama A&M.

The 6’3” junior guard started 27/31 games played, averaging 15.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steal per game. Pissis earned All-America East Third Team honors,
— PortalUpdates (@portal_updates) May 22, 2025

Pissis instead ends up joining the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M in the SWAC, a team that went 10-22 and finished 360th out of 364 D1 teams at KenPom last year.

The French guard will no doubt get an opportunity to take on a lead role once again in 2025-26 after averaging nearly 15 field goal attempts per game last year at New Hampshire.

The Zags have already filled two roster spots since the interest in Pissis was reported back in April: landing a commitment from Arizona State transfer guard Adam Miller and incoming freshman big man Parker Jefferson in a week span to bolster the depth in both the frontcourt and backcourt.

Now Gonzaga has their attention on a pair of big fish in the transfer portal in USC guard Desmond Claude and Grand Canyon's Tyon Grant-Foster, who each have the Zags among their top three finalists.

Gonzaga is also connected to Spanish guard Mario Saint-Supery and Charleston transfer guard AJ Smith as Mark Few looks to polish off the roster heading into 2025-26.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: