Gonzaga guard Cade Orness enters transfer portal

Redshirt freshman departs Bulldogs after one season on scholarship

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:04am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Cade Orness, a redshirt freshman guard who joined Gonzaga as a walk-on, has announced his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Orness played in eight games off the bench for the Bulldogs last season, totaling 3 points, 1 rebound and 1 steal.

Why it matters

Orness' departure is the first from Gonzaga's 2025-26 roster, signaling potential changes to the team's lineup and rotation ahead of next season. As a former high school star in Washington, his transfer could impact the local recruiting landscape.

The details

Orness, a 6-foot-8, 185-pound guard from Poulsbo, Washington, arrived at Gonzaga as a walk-on in 2024 and redshirted his first year. He earned a scholarship before the 2025-26 season but saw limited playing time, appearing in just 8 games.

  • Orness announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on April 1, 2026.
  • The NCAA transfer portal officially opens on April 7, 2026, one day after the national championship game.

The players

Cade Orness

A redshirt freshman guard who played sparingly for Gonzaga last season after joining the team as a walk-on.

Scott Orness

Cade Orness' father, who was the head coach at North Kitsap High School where Cade set the school's career scoring record.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This has been one of the toughest decisions I've had to make. There's a lot that comes with stepping away from a special place like this, especially because of the people and relationships that have meant so much to me.”

— Cade Orness

What’s next

Orness will officially enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal on April 7, 2026, allowing other programs to contact him about potential opportunities.

The takeaway

Orness' decision to transfer from Gonzaga after one season on scholarship highlights the competitive nature of Division I basketball, where even highly touted recruits can struggle to earn consistent playing time. His departure opens up a roster spot for the Bulldogs as they look to reload for the 2026-27 campaign.