Gonzaga Faces Transition in the PAC-12

As Gonzaga steps into the new PAC-12, they face some unexpected changes with the departure of starting point guard Mario Saint-Supéry, who has decided to return to Spain and join EuroLeague club Valencia.

Saint-Supéry, standing at 6-foot-3, had a solid season at Gonzaga, putting up averages of 8.6 points, 3.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals, all while shooting over 40% from beyond the arc. His impressive performance earned him the title of All-West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year.

His exit, which caught many by surprise, came just a day after he participated in practice with the team. The young Spaniard had previously played professionally in Spain and was affectionately nicknamed “El Principito” (The Little Prince).

In a statement, Valencia expressed excitement, proclaiming, “The Little Prince will make Roig Arena his new palace.”

Despite this setback, Gonzaga is still considered a frontrunner in the revamped PAC-12, which now includes teams like Utah, San Diego, Oregon, and Washington. However, with the transfer portal now closed and his contract coming to an end, replacing the point guard is going to be quite a challenge.

This development is yet another blow to Gonzaga’s aspirations for a national championship, especially following the earlier decision by guard Jack Cale to stay in the NBA Draft.

Mark Few, who has an astounding .832 winning percentage and has led Gonzaga to NCAA Tournament appearances every year since 1999, has seen his team reach the national championship game twice. Still, they’ve faced disappointment recently, being eliminated in the Round of 32 after nine consecutive Sweet 16 appearances.

Reflecting on his journey, Few has spoken about the long process it took to build Gonzaga into the powerhouse it is today, despite considering other opportunities over the years. It’s a noteworthy transformation, going from relative obscurity to a nationally recognized program.