Julian Strawther scored 23 points, including 10 in the final 4:07, and No. 6 Gonzaga beat Xavier 88-84 on Sunday in the third-place game of the Phil Knight Legacy men’s tournament.
Zags' forward Drew Timme and wing Julian Strawther will drop out of the NBA draft and return to the Gonzaga basketball team next season, and guard Rasir Bolton will also return to the Bulldogs.
Gonzaga stars Chet Holmgren and Andrew Nembhard announced Thursday that they will enter the NBA draft. Holmgren is expected to be a top five pick, while Nembhard is projected as a likely second-rounder.
Gonzaga forward Julian Strawther said Monday that he will enter the NBA draft and skip his junior year. Strawther tweeted the news but did not indicate whether he would hire an agent.
Chet Holmgren had 21 points and 15 rebounds, and No. 1 Gonzaga picked up its defensive pressure in the second half to hold off San Francisco and extend its winning streak to 17 with an 89-73 win.
Freshman center Chet Holmgren scored 21 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked three shots as No. 2 Gonzaga pounded Loyola Marymount 89-55 for its ninth straight victory.