Gonzaga has gone from the mid-major that could to being a perennial powerhouse. Since 1999, they have been to the NCAA Tournament every year it was held. They've finished in the AP poll every season since 2008-09, and they are currently in their 115th consecutive week being in the AP poll — the 13th longest streak in NCAA history. A huge reason for their success is because of their head coach, Mark Few, who is currently coaching his 24th season. He is currently 686-134 in his career as head coach of the Bulldogs and has led Gonzaga to 22 West Coast Conference regular season titles, 19 WCC tournament titles and two national championship appearances. The other major reason is the talent that has come through the school, located in Spokane, Washington. Their all-time starting lineup could hold its own against some of blue blood programs.
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Point Guard - John Stockton
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Before he was assisting Karl "The Mailman" Malone in the NBA, John Stockton was assisting his Bulldog teammates. Gonzaga was in Stockton's family blood, as he was the third generation of his family to go to the school, attending from 1980-84. He was named to the All-WCC First Team his junior and senior years; and he was WCC Player of the Year his senior year, when he averaged 20.9 points per game and led the conference in scoring, assists and steals. He holds the school record for career steals.
Shooting Guard - Frank Burgess
This Air Force veteran was an absolute scoring machine. Frank Burgess enrolled into Gonzaga after leaving the military, spending three years as a Bulldog. All he did was make buckets. Before this year's WCC conference tournament, he was Gonzaga's all-time leading scorer. He was replaced by another all-time Gonzaga player who will be mentioned in a moment. In 1960-61, Burgess led the NCAA in scoring with 32.4 points per game. He received All-American honors his junior and senior years. As a senior, he was a consensus Second Team All-American. His No. 44 has been retired by the school.
Small Forward - Adam Morrison
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Most notable for his short-sleeve undershirt and mustache, Adam Morrison is one of the best players in Gonzaga history. He made an impact on the team right away, being named to the WCC All-Freshman Team. Sophomore year, he was named to the All-WCC First Team. In his junior year, he was the nation's leading scorer, with 28.1 points per game. That year, he was named Co-Player of the Year, an award given by the United States Basketball Writers Association, along with J.J. Redick of Duke. Despite forgoing his senior year, Morrison is the fourth all-time leading scorer at Gonzaga.
Power Forward - Drew Timme
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The current all-time leading scorer for the Gonzaga Bulldogs is Drew Timme, who has had an unbelievable collegiate career. He is a Karl Malone Award recipient, given to the top men's collegiate power forward by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, which he received his sophomore year. He's a two-time consensus Second Team All-American and a two-time WCC Player of the Year; and he has been named to the First Team All-WCC three times and will most likely be named to his fourth this year. Timme can receive even more accolades for his illustrious collegiate career if he reverses his decision to take advantage of the NCAA eligibility waiver granted to all basketball players active in the COVID-19-affected 2020-21 season.
Center- Ronny Turiaf
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The French big man Ronny Turiaf played four years at Gonzaga and was named First Team All-WCC three times. His senior year, he was named the WCC Player of the Year, leading the conference in points (15.9), rebounds (9.5) and blocks (1.9). He was a dominant force in the paint and, to this day, is still in the top 10 overall in career points, rebounds and blocks at Gonzaga.
There's a reason Gonzaga is more than a mid-major in the men's college basketball world. With players such as these, it's no wonder they have found success for so many decades, especially the last three. They are a constant in March, like some of the blue blood programs they face, and will continue to be so with Few at the helm and talent like this all-time lineup coming through.
