Latest news with #SamFunches
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gonzaga Setting up Crucial Visit with Five-Star Center Sam Funches as Recruitment Heats Up
Gonzaga's recruitment of elite 2026 center Sam Funches is quietly heating up, with the promise of an upcoming visit to Spokane poised to be a make-or-break moment in the Bulldogs' pursuit. While programs like Ole Miss and Kansas have long been seen as leaders in his recruitment, Gonzaga has remained firmly in the picture, and now has a golden opportunity to elevate itself from an outsider to a legitimate threat. Funches, a 6-foot-10 standout from Germantown High School in Madison, Mississippi, is regarded as one of the premier big men in the 2026 class. His rare combination of size, mobility, and perimeter shooting has attracted interest from national powerhouses. Gonzaga officially entered the race with an offer last spring, adding their name to a growing list of suitors. Gonzaga really has a chance to gain ground if Funches's visit actually happens. The trip will allow Funches and his family to get an up-close look at the Zags' player development, campus environment, and unique basketball culture. They'll get to sit and talk with Mark Few and hear his plan for Funches on both ends of the court. These factors have played a crucial role in landing and producing elite frontcourt talent over the years. Advertisement Programs like Ole Miss have a head start, with strong ties to Funches and multiple unofficial visits already in the books. However, Gonzaga's history of developing high-level big men such as Domantas Sabonis, Rui Hachimura, and Chet Holmgren speaks volumes. For a player of Funches's skill set, the fit within Gonzaga's offensive system, which emphasizes versatility and skilled bigs, could be an ideal match. While the Bulldogs may still be considered on the outside looking in, this visit represents a pivotal opportunity to shift the perception of where they stand. A successful trip could transform Gonzaga from a fringe contender into a real player for one of the most coveted prospects in the 2026 cycle. As the visit to Spokane approaches, all eyes will be on Mark Few and his staff's ability to capitalize on this crucial window. Related: Why Gonzaga's Offense Should run through Braden Huff Next Season
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Four-Star Center Sam Funches Reveals Tentative Dates for Official Visit to Gonzaga
Sam Funches, among the top ranked centers in the 2026 recruiting class, is working on rescheduling his official visit to Gonzaga and told Athlon Sports he has two weekends in mind. Funches, who is ranked No. 41 overall in the 247Sports composite 2026 class rankings, said he is looking at June 27-29 or the weekend of Kraziness in the Kennel - which has not been formally scheduled yet but will likely take place on October 4. Advertisement He also confirmed his previously planned official visit to Gonzaga, which was set to take place February 14-16, did not happen because his Germantown high school team was still participating in the state playoffs in Mississippi. Germantown defeated Madison Central to win the 7A championship, with Funches contributing 16 points and seven rebounds on 7-11 shooting. Funches has 23 total offers and has already taken official visits to Kansas, Ole Miss, and Cal and has plans to visit not only Gonzaga but Vanderbilt, LSU, and Mississippi State as well. Gonzaga, like most college programs, prefers to have high profile recruits on campus to see a game, but the two offseason weekends most likely to bring in recruits are Kraziness in the Kennel and the last weekend in June, when the streets of Spokane are converted into tens of thousands of basketball courts for Hoopfest, the largest three-on-three basketball tournament in the world. Advertisement Whichever weekend Funches ends up in Spokane will show just exactly why the city is nicknamed Hooptown, USA, and why Gonzaga fans are some of the best in the world. The big man also told Athlon he is now 7'0 and 220 pounds after being listed at 6'10 and 205 pounds by multiple recruiting services. Gonzaga has yet to land a commitment in the 2026 recruiting class, with Funches the only known offer made by the staff so far, although the program has been connected to No. 1 ranked recruit Tyran Stokes as well as small forward Dean Rueckert. Related: Top 2026 Recruit and Gonzaga Target Postpones Visit to Kentucky
