Florida State High-Upside Transfer Forward Christian Nitu Perfect Fit For Gonzaga
Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs remain on the hunt for a marquee guard to add to the roster for the 2025-26 season, with Desmond Claude and Tyon-Grant Foster the two biggest known targets at this time.
However, the expectation is that the Zags will also look to add depth to the frontcourt, in particular someone who can play power forward on a roster that is currently full of more traditional centers in Graham Ike, Braden Huff, Ismaila Diagne, and incoming freshman Parker Jefferson.
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One available transfer that makes a lot of sense for Gonzaga, and who the staff connected with early in the recruiting process, is Florida State forward Christian Nitu.
Nitu played at Fort Erie International Academy in Toronto when the Zags first began recruiting him, and his performance with Team Canada in the U17 World Cup and participation in the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp helped solidify the 6'11 big man as a marquee prospect.
On3 had him as the 39th ranked power forward and 25th ranked Canadian prospect in the 2024 class when he first signed with Indiana State, but after coach Josh Schertz left to Saint Louis Nitu reopened his recruitment and committed to Florida State.
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However, a deep rotation didn't allow much room for Nitu on the floor in Tallahassee, as he finished his lone season with the 'Noles appearing in 22 games and averaging 1.9 points and 1.3 rebounds in just 6.9 minutes per game.
Nitu saved his best for last, scoring a career high eight points with three rebounds and a steal on 4-4 shooting in a 60-57 loss to Virginia in the final game of the season.
Nitu's upside remains intriguing, despite subpar numbers in a limited role. The tape shows an uber-athletic big man who had multiple tip-in dunks, blocked shots off the backboard, and was unafraid to challenge anyone at the rim. Some have even described him as having guard like skills, although the outside shot is a bit of a mystery as he went 0-7 while with the 'Noles.
With three years of eligibility remaining and experience gained through the FIBA circuit and the ACC, Nitu would be a nice fit in Spokane as a developmental big alongside Jefferson and Diagne.
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He's drawn interest from Washington, with head coach Danny Sprinkle even flying out to Tallahassee to watch him workout, and it wouldn't be a surprise if other power conference teams come poking around now that many of the bigger names are off the board.
Gonzaga will likely keep their focus on guards for now, but snagging Nitu as a high upside developmental big is the kind of move coach Few likes to make and one that is easy to see working well for both sides.
Related: Gonzaga Target and WCC Leading Scorer Malik Thomas Announces Transfer Portal Decision
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