Gonzaga Bulldogs Losing 29-Game Starter to Transfer Portal

Junior wing Emmanuel Innocenti plans to enter NCAA transfer portal, adding to Gonzaga's offseason roster turnover.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:33am

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Gonzaga Bulldogs junior wing Emmanuel Innocenti is set to enter the NCAA transfer portal, becoming the latest player to leave the program after starting 29 of 35 games last season and averaging over 20 minutes per contest. Innocenti, a 6-foot-5 wing from Ivory Coast, was a key defensive contributor for the Bulldogs, regularly tasked with shutting down opponents' top scorers.

Why it matters

Innocenti's departure adds to Gonzaga's significant offseason roster turnover, with the team already set to lose core players like Jalen Warley, Tyon Grant-Foster, Graham Ike, Adam Miller, and Steele Venters due to eligibility. His exit, along with guard Cade Orness entering the portal, leaves the Bulldogs with several holes to fill heading into the 2026-27 season.

The details

Innocenti started 29 of Gonzaga's 35 games last season, averaging 24.3 minutes per game, the third-highest on the roster. While his scoring numbers were modest (6.0 points per game), he was widely utilized as the Bulldogs' primary on-ball defender, regularly tasking with shutting down the opposition's top scorers. His role expanded late in the season due to injuries, and he logged heavy minutes in postseason games, including 38 minutes in the WCC Tournament title game and 34 minutes in the NCAA Tournament.

  • Innocenti plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
  • Over the final 11 games of the 2025-26 season, Innocenti averaged 33.7 minutes, 8.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.

The players

Emmanuel Innocenti

A 6-foot-5 junior wing from Ivory Coast who started 29 of 35 games for Gonzaga last season, averaging 24.3 minutes per game as the team's primary on-ball defender.

Cade Orness

A Gonzaga guard who has also entered the NCAA transfer portal, adding to the team's offseason roster turnover.

Jalen Warley

A Gonzaga player who is set to leave the program, having led the team in steals per game last season.

Tyon Grant-Foster

A Gonzaga player who is set to leave the program, having led the team in blocks per game last season.

Graham Ike

A Gonzaga player who is set to leave the program due to eligibility.

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What they’re saying

“Innocenti's exit will add to Gonzaga's offseason turnover. The program is already set to lose core players such as Warley (1.5 steals per game leader) and Tyon Grant-Foster (team-best 1.1 blocks per game), along with veterans Graham Ike, Adam Miller, and Steele Venters due to eligibility.”

— Abdullah Imran, Author

What’s next

Gonzaga will need to find replacements for the significant roster turnover, including Innocenti's departure, as the team prepares for the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

Innocenti's decision to enter the transfer portal is a significant loss for Gonzaga, as he was a key defensive contributor and started the majority of games last season. The Bulldogs will have to navigate substantial offseason roster changes, including the exits of several core players, as they look to reload for the upcoming campaign.