Gonzaga Target and WCC Leading Scorer Malik Thomas Announces Transfer Portal Decision
Three days after getting a waiver approved for an extra year of eligibility, former San Francisco Dons guard Malik Thomas picked a new home out of the transfer portal, committing to Virginia and new head coach Ryan Odom according to a tweet from Joe Tipton of On3.
Thomas was known to be a target for Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs, but will ultimately head across the country to join the 'Hoos.
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He becomes the fourth WCC guard to transfer into the ACC, alongside Lamar Washington (Pacific to Georgia Tech), Nate Kingz (Oregon State to Syracuse) and Damarco Minor (Oregon State to Pitt).
Thomas led the WCC in scoring at 19.9 points per game for the Dons last year, shooting a scorching hot 39.4% from three and 85.1% from the free throw line, along with 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
The 6'4 guard began his college career at USC, appearing in nine games as a freshman in 2021-22 but only playing 18 total minutes - which likely led to the NCAA granting him an additional year of eligibility.
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Thomas played 27 games as a sophomore with the Trojans before transferring to San Francisco, where he averaged 12.4 points on 40% shooting from three as a junior before breaking out even more this past season.
Gonzaga remains on the hunt for more guard depth following the addition of transfer Adam Miller from Arizona State, needing to replace the production of guards Ryan Nembhard, Khalif Battle, Nolan Hickman, and Dusty Stromer after the first three ran out of eligibility and Stromer hit the transfer portal and landed at Grand Canyon.
Redshirt Braeden Smith will likely replace Nembhard at point guard, while former Virginia wing Jalen Warley and returner Emmanuel Innocenti will fill roles on the perimeter alongside Miller.
Steele Venters, who has missed the past two full seasons with lower leg injuries, is expected to be back in the mix for coach Few's team next season as well, while the program continues to pursue high profile guards like Desmond Claude and Tyon Grant-Foster in the portal.
Related: Top Ranked Recruit in 2026 Class Has Plans to Visit Gonzaga
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