Former McDonald’s All-American Isiah Harwell is officially headed to Gonzaga.
Nearly two months after the news first broke, Gonzaga formally announced the signing of former Houston wing Isiah Harwell on Tuesday. Harwell committed to the Bulldogs on April 12, becoming the program’s first transfer portal addition of the offseason alongside Massamba Diop.
The 6-foot-6 wing had been on Gonzaga’s radar since his high school days in Pocatello, Idaho, before transferring to Wasatch Academy in Utah. Although he took an official visit to Spokane during his recruitment, Harwell initially chose to play for Kelvin Sampson at Houston.
As a freshman with the Cougars in 2025-26, Harwell came off the bench in 32 games while continuing to recover from the ACL injury that affected his senior high school season. He averaged 3.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.6 steals in 13.8 minutes per game, shooting 29.5% from inside the arc and 27.1% from three-point range.
Despite inconsistent production, Harwell showed flashes of his potential throughout the season. He scored 20 points against Jackson State, added 12 points and three rebounds at Baylor, and posted 13 points with four rebounds versus Cincinnati. His role, however, diminished late in the year, and he scored his final points of the season on Feb. 21 against Arizona.
Now, more than three years after Gonzaga first extended him a scholarship offer, Harwell officially joins the Bulldogs with expectations of playing a major role in 2026-27.
Fit at Gonzaga
With a 6-foot-9 wingspan and strong athleticism, Harwell has the tools to emerge as a breakout player next season, especially as he moves further away from the knee injury that slowed him over the last few years.
Following the departure of German guard Jack Kayil to the NBA, Gonzaga appears to have a clear opening for Harwell in the starting lineup alongside fellow sophomores Mario Saint-Supery, Davis Fogle, and Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop. Combined with veteran forward Braden Huff, the Bulldogs project to have a balanced lineup with enough scoring options to ease the pressure on Harwell offensively.
Instead, Harwell could make his biggest impact on the defensive end, where his length, athleticism, and physical style of play fit naturally. He’ll also be adjusting to a significantly different offensive system after spending a season in Houston’s structure-heavy approach.
Harwell tested the NBA Draft process this spring and even earned an invitation to the G League Elite Camp before ultimately withdrawing and finalizing his move to Gonzaga — a decision that could position him as one of the breakout stars in the revamped Pac-12 next season.
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