Gonzaga has gone to the Midwest for its most recent commitment, landing ESPN 100 shooting guard Zach Norvell.
The 6-foot-4, 180-pound product of Chicago's famed Simeon Career Academy -- the same school that produced both Derrick Rose and Jabari Parker -- chose Mark Few's program over Iowa State, Florida State and Georgetown.
“It felt like the best fit for me,” Norvell told ESPN. “I feel as though I can come in and have an impact. It’s an amazing team and an amazing program. I love the coaching staff and the players. The history and tradition of winning was important to me. They have been to 16 straight NCAA tournaments. That’s crazy.”
Norvell (ESPN, No. 76), who starred for the Jabari Parker-coached Mac Irvin Fire on the AAU circuit this past summer, turned heads with a 53-point outing in Las Vegas in July. Norvell connected on 11 three-pointers in that contest, after which his number of college offers began to swell. Norvell visited Iowa State, Florida State and Georgetown, but ultimately opted to settle in Spokane.
“I was able to see all the different things the schools had to offer,” he said. “I’m glad I took all the visits. To me, it showed me how much I wanted to be there.”
Norvell, a lefty wing, said that he’ll bring more than just his perimeter shot to Spokane.
“I will bring a lot of toughness and a high basketball IQ,” he said. “I come from a program with a history of winning and that’s one of the main reasons I picked Gonzaga.”