EXCLUSIVE: Sam Funches’ Decision to Move From Mississippi to Spokane

Four-star recruit Sam Funches is following in a prominent lineage of dominant big men to come through the Gonzaga program. Kelly Olynyk, Zach Collins, Domantas Sabonis, Chet Holmgren are just a few that come to mind.

The 6-11 leftie has a 7’5 wingspan, bringing a soft touch when finishing around the basket and rim protection to the future frontcourt in Spokane.

The Slipper Still Fits caught up with Funches again after his commitment to coach Mark Few and the rest of the staff. Check it out below.

Arden Cravalho: Explain the energy you felt from the Kennel when they were chanting “We want Funches” during Kraziness in the Kennel. What was that like to experience?

Sam Funches: I would like to start off by saying that one thing I loved about this coaching staff is that they didn’t lie to me about anything. They didn’t do any recruiting tactics, and nothing sketchy. They told the truth about everything. They told me I was the only one that they were going after. They told me about how they would develop me and the play style.

When we went to watch their film during my visit… There were big men doing something, and then there would be a highlight of me doing the exact same thing.

That was the best throughout all my visits to other schools (LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss). I’d like to appreciate everybody jumping on the leaves. I always hate to be on the opposing team playing. So, I mean, it (Gonzaga) was a great atmosphere to live in.

AC: Who did you speak with from the current team on your official visit?

SF: I did get a chance to speak with Cade Orness. Graham Ike. I had breakfast with Braden Huff and Jalen Warley.

AC: What’s the biggest difference you’ve noticed in the culture between two states like Washington and Mississippi? Obviously, the two couldn’t be two more contrasting places.

SF: The food is better down here, but it’s a better climate up there. And I haven’t really got smacked in the face by a bunch of bugs like I would down here.

AC: Luca Foster, another fellow 2026 recruit, was in Spokane over the weekend for his official visit against NAIA Northeast. What do you know about him?

SF: The crazy part is that I actually have played with him. In my ninth-grade year, we played together at Balling on the Beach. We literally clicked in the first hour that we met. By the time the whole team met, we had already gotten to know each other.

AC: When we previously spoke with each other before your commitment, you talked about your development as a player. You’re heading into your senior season with Germantown in Mississippi. What do you hope to improve upon the most on your journey to repeat as state champions?

SF: I would say I just want to develop on everything as a whole, but I really want to focus on ball handling, defending one through five positions. And I would say consistency.

AC: What player would you compare your game to?

SF: Everybody always compares me to Chris Bosh and Evan Mobley.

Funches joins German combo guard Jack Kayil in Gonzaga’s 2026 recruiting class, who is playing professional ball with Alba Berlin of the Basketball Bundesliga and the Champions League this fall.

Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho