Gonzaga's Braden Huff one of 50 players named to Naismith Trophy watch list

On November 2, senior forward Braden Huff of Gonzaga was selected to the preseason watch list for the prestigious Naismith Trophy, joining 49 other talented basketball players who could vie for the sport's highest individual honor. This marks the third consecutive year Huff has been recognized, having previously earned honors for the Karl Malone Power Forward Award and the Pac-12's preseason Impact List, alongside Gonzaga teammate Davis Fogle.

Huff, who notched 17.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game last season before suffering a knee injury that sidelined him for the final 17 contests, averaged 66.2% from the field and led the nation in 2-point field goals prior to his injury. He scored 37 points in a game against Campbell and netted 28 points in a thrilling overtime win against Seattle U. In recent exhibition games, Huff has been a standout performer, contributing 19 points and 11 rebounds against Arkansas and 11 points and four rebounds in a 16-minute stint against Lewis-Clark State.

As Gonzaga prepares for a demanding nonconference schedule, Huff's name will be among those of Naismith watch list selections that the Zags will face. Alabama's Amari Allen and Aden Holloway could square off with Gonzaga in the second round of the Players Era Festival, while Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. will take on the Zags in a December 19 nonconference game in Palm Springs, California.

Gonzaga will also encounter Duke's contingent of Naismith candidates — John Blackwell, Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, and Patrick Ngongba II — in a February 20 matchup in Detroit.

Utah State's Mason Falslev, the 2025-26 Mountain West Player of the Year, was the sole other Pac-12 player named to the preseason Naismith list.