SPOKANE, Wash. – Star striker Drew Timme and winger Julian Strawther said on Wednesday they will leave the NBA Draft and return to the Gonzaga basketball team next season, a decision announced a day after baseman Rasir Bolton also said that would return to the Bulldogs. .
Timme is the current player of the year at the West Coast Conference and led the Zags with an average of 18.4 points per game last season. He added 6.8 rebounds per game and was an AP Second Team All-American.
“I’m back,” Timme tweeted Wednesday afternoon, which was the deadline to leave the NBA draft and return for his senior year.
The five Gonzaga starters declared themselves for the NBA draft after last season. Only center-back Chet Holmgren, who is expected to be a first-round pick, and baseman Andrew Nembhard remain in the draft.
The 6-foot, 7-foot Strawther averaged 11.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season as he started 31 of 32 games.
Bolton returns to Gonzaga with the COVID-19 exemption granted to all players in the 2020-21 season. He joined the Zags last season as a graduate transfer from Iowa.
Bolton averaged 11.2 points, 2.3 assists and 2.4 rebounds as he started the Bulldogs’ 32 games. He led the Zags in triples (64) and 3-point percentages (46.0).
Timme, Strawther and Bolton helped the Bulldogs advance to their 23rd consecutive NCAA Tournament.