5 reasons Gonzaga will return to the Final Four

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Apr 1, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) reacts during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Draft Day Surprises

The reality of the college basketball landscape in the modern era is that players who have amazing seasons tend to enter into the NBA draft as soon as possible. UCLA’s Lonzo Ball, the stellar freshman who led the Bruins deep into the postseason, will enter the draft in 2017 and put an end to his college career.

There is a lot of talk right now about Gonzaga’s standout stars Nigel Williams-Goss and Zach Collins entering the NBA draft, and while their numbers are competitive with those of their UCLA counterparts, there isn’t a lot of excitement around them in the mock drafts. Williams-Goss led Gonzaga in all categories, but he is projected to be a second-round pick if he goes in the draft. Collins has the height and he’s very talented, but he doesn’t have the frame to be at the NBA level yet. Collins would be the heir apparent for the graduating Przemek Karnowski.

The West Coast Conference has some very talented players, but the conference has not churned out NBA players over the years. Size and ability to compete at the NBA level have always been factors that have kept WCC players out of the NBA and instead have led to lucrative careers overseas.

It’s possible that Williams-Goss could declare in the draft without an agent, which would allow him to return to Gonzaga if he doesn’t like his offers.

With Williams-Goss and Collins back on the roster, Gonzaga would be in a great position to return to the Final Four under team veterans who know what it’s like to play at that level.