Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Nathan de Sousa has been cleared by the NCAA to compete for the upcoming 2026-27 season. This announcement comes as a welcome relief to the team, which has faced uncertainty regarding eligibility for several players, as reported by the French news outlet Ouest-France.
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De Sousa, a 23-year-old from Saint-Quentin, France, joined Gonzaga in late June and traveled to Spokane in late August after obtaining a visa. Following weeks of waiting, he expressed his relief, stating, "I took a risk, but it paid off."
His eligibility is crucial for Gonzaga, as he is one of five players on the roster currently navigating NCAA eligibility issues. Alongside de Sousa are fellow international recruit Izan Almansa and three seniors: Javon Bennett, Xaivian Lee, and Chauncey Wiggins. With Bennett ineligible after a temporary restraining order in Ohio was stayed by the NCAA, and Lee's status uncertain due to a similar situation, de Sousa's clearance positions him as potentially the only active point guard for the season.
De Sousa, standing at 6'3", previously played in the Cholet system and had a breakout season in the LNB Elite league last year, averaging 10.9 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.5 rebounds with a shooting percentage of 36.1% from three-point range. His ability to facilitate play fits well within Gonzaga’s roster, which includes notable scorers like Davis Fogle and Braden Huff.
Gonzaga fans will have the opportunity to watch de Sousa and new players, including Harwell, Diop, Luca Foster, Sam Funches, and Juwan Ekanga-Ehawa, at the Kraziness in the Kennel event on October 3, starting at 2:00 PM PT.