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Spokane Native and 20 Point Per Game Scorer Enters Transfer Portal

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andy Patton | Last updated Apr 7, 2025 7:07 PM ET

After a massive breakout season in the Big Sky, Idaho State guard Dylan Darling is entering the transfer portal - according to Sam Kayser of 24/7 High School Hoops.

Darling, a native of Spokane who went to Central Valley high school, began his college career at Washington State in the 2022-23 season, where as a freshman he appeared in 25 games and made four starts - averaging 1.7 points and 1.7 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per game.

He only made three appearances for the Cougars in the 2023-24 campaign before redshirting, and after the season the 6'2 guard hit the portal and landed at Idaho State, a move that immediately paid off both for Darling and the Bengals.

NEWS: Idaho State guard Dylan Darling is entering the transfer portal, he told @LeagueRDY.

Darling just wrapped up his sophomore season at Idaho State after spending the first two seasons of his career at Washington State. Native of Spokane, Washington.

Average 19.8PPG, 5.7APG,… pic.twitter.com/bewboadMJv
— Sam Kayser - 24/7 High School Hoops (@247HSHoops) April 7, 2025

Darling started 28 games for Idaho State, playing over 34 minutes per game and averaging 19.8 points, 5.7 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game while earning Big Sky Player of the Year honors.

Darling is a true three-level scorer, showcasing the ability to hit shots from beyond the arc (35.6% on 5.2 attempts per game) and a proclivity to get downhill and to the free throw line, where he shot 81% on a staggering 7.3 attempts per game - leading the conference in both free throws made and attempted.

The redshirt sophomore will have two years of eligibility remaining, and could be a target for the Gonzaga Bulldogs who are in need of more guards and would love to bring a local kid back home to Spokane.

The Zags will lose guards Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman, and Khalif Battle who are all out of eligibility, as well as reserve guard Dusty Stromer who committed to Grand Canyon out of the transfer portal.

The situation is somewhat comparable to that of Steele Venters - a Big Sky Player of the Year winner from the state of Washington who entered the portal in 2023 out of Eastern Washington and committed to Gonzaga - although of course Zag fans will hope the injury woes that have unfortunately plagued Venters don't carry over to Darling, should he ultimately land back home with Gonzaga.

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

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