By ADAM ZAGORIA
Gonzaga scored a major coup on the transfer market Tuesday when Florida transfer Andrew Nembhard committed to the Bulldogs.
The 6-foot-5 Nembhard initially chose Florida over Gonzaga, Ohio State, and USC in October 2017. He visited Gonzaga and USC in high school.
Nembhard averaged 11.2 points, 5.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds last season for the Gators. He would have to sit the 2020-21 season unless he obtains an NCAA waiver.
“They checked every box for me. I loved the idea of being able to sit out next year and fall in line with those that transferred into the program in the past,” Nembhard told Rivals.com. “The Canadian pipeline was big, too. I talked to a lot of people that went there and it made it a lot easier to make that decision. Just knowing how Kyle (Wiltjer) and Kevin (Pangos) are as people and what they told me about the place, it gave me reassurance about the place and the people over there.”
Andrew Nembhard is transferring to GONZAGA 🌟 @AndrewNembhard pic.twitter.com/DublhTHZj3
— Overtime (@overtime) June 23, 2020
Gonzaga has a history of success with Canadian players, having landed Wiltjer, Pangos, Brandon Clarke, Kelly Olynyk, all of whom have competed with the Canadian national team.
“Great system for Andrew,” Montverde coach Kevin Boyle said. “He will have a good chance to win a National Championship and I think will play his way into the NBA.”
Nembhard and current Bulldog Filip Petrusev were high school teammates at Montverde. They helped Montverde capture the 2018 Geico High School Nationals title.
“We are excited to have a player and person like Andrew in our program,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. “He is going to be a great addition, and I look forward to working with him.”
**In other Gonzaga-related news, the AAU coach for Jalen Suggs and Chet Holmgren says both players should consider jumping straight from the preps to the pros.
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