Gonzaga Pursuing Croatian Recruit Ivan Bogdanović
Gonzaga continues to be active on the international recruiting front after securing a commitment from Spanish guard Mario Saint-Suppery in June, with the Bulldogs now targeting another promising European talent.
The Bulldogs are among several teams in pursuit of Ivan Bogdanović, a 6-foot-8 Croatian forward who gained international attention last summer with his impressive performance at the FIBA U20 Eurobasket. According to a post from Arman Jovic on X, Bogdanović has also attracted interest from Louisville, Michigan State, and Texas A&M since opening his recruitment to U.S. schools.
The 2025 college basketball offseason has seen an influx of international players looking to capitalize on new NIL opportunities, with schools now allowed to share up to $20.5 million per year in revenue with student-athletes. This shift, part of a multi-billion-dollar deal between the NCAA and its power conferences, also introduces a roster cap of 15 players.
Gonzaga’s current roster for the 2025-26 season already exceeds the cap at 16 players (including walk-ons), but the NCAA’s one-time transfer window, which opened on July 7, could create more room before the team finalizes its roster in November. This could allow for another high-profile international recruit to join Mark Few’s program, which has a strong history of developing foreign players into future NBA prospects.
Bogdanović, who will turn 21 on July 13, has professional experience in the ABA League with Montenegro’s Studentski Centar. However, most of his playing time last season came in Montenegro’s domestic league, where he averaged 8.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game in 24.7 minutes.
He also played a key role for KK Cedevita Junior in Croatia during the 2023-24 season.
At last year’s FIBA U20 Eurobasket in Romania, Bogdanović showcased his scoring ability and physical play. He averaged 18.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, including a career-high 29 points in a group-stage matchup against Finland.
Gonzaga has long maintained its strong connections to European talent, even before NIL became a significant factor in recruiting. Despite increased competition, Mark Few’s program has continued to attract international players. Last year, the Bulldogs secured a commitment from Senegalese 7-footer Ismaila Diagne and Italian wing Emmanuel Innocenti in May 2024.
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