Just two weeks after experiencing Kraziness in the Kennel and receiving “We want Funches” chants from the Kennel Club, 6-11 center Sam Funches in the 2026 recruiting class decided to become a Zag.
The Mississippi native is following in a prominent lineage of big men to come through Spokane (Kelly Olynyk, Domantas Sabonis, Chet Holmgren, to name just a few). The Germantown product chose the Zags over three SEC programs in Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and LSU.
The 6-11 center is the No. 41 overall recruit in the 2026 class, per Rivals. The leftie Funches has a 7’5 wingspan, bringing a soft touch when finishing around the basket and rim protection to the future Gonzaga frontcourt. On the Puma PRO16 Circuit this past summer, he averaged 11.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 1.1 assists with Team Sipp United.
“He’s the type of skilled, inside out big that finds success in that system.” – 247 Sports’ Adam Finkelstein on Funches’ fit with Gonzaga
When speaking with Rivals’ Joe Tipton, Funches had a message for Zag Nation:
“I’m just here to play ball.” – Sam Funches on choosing Gonzaga
Funches joins German combo guard Jack Kayil in Gonzaga’s 2026 recruiting class.
Gonzaga welcomes another 2026 recruit on his official visit, four-star wing Luca Foster from Link Academy in Missouri, to the McCarthey Athletic Center this Sunday, October 19th, when the Zags host NAIA Northwest in an exhibition at 2 p.m. PT.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
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