Graham Ike Discusses Future with Gonzaga Basketball Program

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andy Patton | Last updated Feb 27, 2025 1:04 PM ET

While most of the attention on Saturday night in Spokane was on Mark Few's questionable starting lineup, which included Joe Few and Michael Ajayi instead of Khalif Battle and Graham Ike, perhaps the more notable storyline was Ike not participating in the pregame senior night festivities.

Ike, who began his college basketball career in 2020-21 at Wyoming, still has an additional year of eligibility should he choose to return to Spokane. The 2020-21 season does not count because of COVID-19 rules, meaning Ike has used just three of his four years of eligibility: in 2021-22 when he averaged 19.5 points and 9.6 rebounds for Wyoming, and these last two seasons at Gonzaga.

Ike missed the entire 2022-23 season with a foot injury.

Ike was asked by Theo Lawson of the Spokesman-Review after Tuesday's win over Santa Clara about his decision to not participate in senior night, and how much thought he's given to potentially returning to Gonzaga for another year.

Buried in everything else that happened last night, we asked Graham Ike about not participating in Senior Night festivities. Said he hasn’t given much thought to potentially returning next season.

“I’m not even focused on none of that right now. We’re focused on winning games.” pic.twitter.com/xXFeP4nsij
— Theo Lawson (@TheoLawson_SR) February 26, 2025

"Honestly, I'm not even focused on none of that," Ike said. "We're focused on winning games right now. That's our biggest focus, biggest goal, that has nothing to do with winning basketball right now."

Ike has been among the best post players in all of college basketball this season. Despite a limited role of just 22.2 minutes per game, the 6'9 big man from Aurora, CO is averaging 17.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 61.9% on twos, 35.7% from three and 79.4% from the free throw line.

The Zags are already set to undergo a significant roster overhaul after this season, with Nembhard, Hickman, Gregg, and Battle all exhausting eligibility. Ajayi may choose to utilize the extra year granted by the NCAA thanks to his previous Junior College experience, although his decision is unknown at this time.

Gonzaga's other bigs, Braden Huff and Ismaila Diagne, are both expected to be back - although Ike's decision could have an impact on those decisions as well.

Gonzaga is set to add redshirt guard Braeden Smith and wing Jalen Warley into the mix next year, along with incoming freshman Davis Fogle.

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

More must-reads: