Point guard Nathan De Sousa has been cleared by the NCAA to play for the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the 2026-27 season, as reported by BeBasket on September 23. The 23-year-old French player arrived in Spokane, Washington, on August 29 and has spent the past five seasons in France’s top league, LNB Elite, with Cholet Basket, also participating in the Basketball Champions League and Euro Cup. Last season, he averaged 10.9 points per game, shooting 44.7% from the field, 36.1% from three-point range, and 76.9% from the free-throw line, along with 4.9 assists and 2.5 rebounds over 29 games.
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Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 190 pounds, De Sousa aims to continue the legacy of French players at Gonzaga, following in the footsteps of notable alumni like Ronny Turiaf, Killian Tillie, and Joel Ayayi. This decision eases Gonzaga's concerns regarding their backcourt amidst a tumultuous offseason. Although De Sousa has only one year of eligibility with the Zags, speculation arises that Real Madrid forward/center Izan Almansa may also secure a single season to play at Gonzaga.
Gonzaga’s basketball season kicks off soon, with 'Kraziness in the Kennel' scheduled for October 3 at 2 p.m. PT, featuring ten confirmed players. Among them are sophomore Isiah Harwell, redshirt senior Braden Huff, and true freshmen Luca Foster and Sam Funches. The Bulldogs' roster remains unfinished as late September approaches, with ongoing legal disputes impacting college basketball. Florida Gators transfer Xaivian Lee is awaiting a hearing regarding his eligibility.
Additionally, incoming freshman Juwan Ekanga-Ehawa, who also hails from France and played with JL Bourg, has not yet been featured prominently within the team’s facilities, as noted by KXLY 4 News.