Gonzaga's Braden Huff Ruled Out for NCAA Tournament Opener

Huff has been sidelined since January with a dislocated kneecap, but could return later in the tournament if Gonzaga advances.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 2:40pm

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Gonzaga forward Braden Huff, who has been sidelined since January with a dislocated kneecap, has been ruled out for the team's NCAA Tournament first-round matchup against Kennesaw State. Huff, who was averaging 17.8 points per game before the injury, has been doing light workouts and left the door open for a potential return later in the tournament if Gonzaga can advance past the opening round.

Why it matters

Huff's absence is a significant blow for Gonzaga, as he was the team's second-leading scorer before the injury. His potential return later in the tournament could provide a major boost if Gonzaga is able to advance, but his status remains uncertain.

The details

Huff suffered the dislocated kneecap injury during practice on January 14th and has not played since Gonzaga's game against Santa Clara on January 8th. The initial timeline for his recovery was 4-8 weeks, so a return in the NCAA Tournament was always a possibility if Gonzaga could advance. Huff has been doing light workouts and jogging to work his way back, but the team has ruled him out for the opening-round game against Kennesaw State.

  • Huff suffered the dislocated kneecap injury on January 14th.
  • Huff last played on January 8th against Santa Clara.
  • Gonzaga faces Kennesaw State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 19th.

The players

Braden Huff

A forward for the Gonzaga Bulldogs who was averaging 17.8 points per game before suffering a dislocated kneecap injury in January.

Gonzaga Bulldogs

The men's basketball team from Gonzaga University, a private Catholic university in Spokane, Washington.

Kennesaw State Owls

The men's basketball team from Kennesaw State University, a public research university located in Kennesaw, Georgia.

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What they’re saying

“'Yeah for sure, leaving it open. Doing my best to get better and would love to be back out there at some point this year.'”

— Braden Huff

What’s next

If Gonzaga is able to defeat Kennesaw State in the first round, there is a possibility that Braden Huff could return for the team's second-round matchup on March 23rd.

The takeaway

Braden Huff's injury is a significant setback for Gonzaga, as he was a key contributor before going down in January. However, the team has left the door open for a potential return later in the NCAA Tournament if they can advance past the opening round without him.