Coming out of left field, Gonzaga’s junior wing Emmanuel Innocenti has entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal. The defensive ace becomes the second Zag to do so, along with redshirt freshman guard Cade Orness.
Innocenti started out his collegiate career with the Tarleton State Texans in his freshman season before moving to the Pacific Northwest. In two seasons with Gonzaga from 2024-26, he played in 66 games and made 32 starts, including 29 starts while logging 24.3 minutes per game this season. this past season
The 6-5 native of Petit Badien, Ivory Coast, averaged 4.9 points on a 43.8 field goal shooting percentage, 2.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.8 steals per game during his tenure in Spokane, Washington.
Gonzaga has been known for their retention of starters and key rotation pieces for quite a while, even during this challenging period that is the Name, Image, and Likeness or NIL era.
As much as coach Mark Few’s 2026-27 roster needs three-point shooters, they also need a veteran defensive presence just as much. Heading into his senior season, Innocenti was going to be that once again for the Zags, but felt his role and bank account could be even larger elsewhere.
The portal officially opens up the day after the national championship on Tuesday, April 7, and will be open for 15 days until closing on April 26.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
