Oct. 19—The NBA's regular season officially tips off Tuesday with three games taking place throughout the afternoon and evening, followed by a full slate of games the following day.
There will be 10 former Gonzaga players and five from Washington State represented on opening-day rosters. For anyone who requires a refresher, we list and break down the situation for all 15 former Zags and Cougars who could be suiting up as the NBA returns this week.
Graham Ike, Golden State WarriorsExperience: Rookie (signed undrafted two-way contract with Warriors in September)
2025-26 statistics: N/A
The situation: Ike parlayed a championship run with Golden State at NBA Summer League — where he averaged 9.3 points and 7.2 rebounds over eight starts — into a two-way contract with the Western Conference organization. Golden State's older frontcourt, coupled with ongoing uncertainty around center Kristaps Porzingis and a current injury to forward/center Charles Bassey, could lead to early playing time for Ike, the reigning West Coast Conference Player of the Year.
Ryan Nembhard, Denver NuggetsExperience: Second season (signed undrafted two-way contract with Dallas Mavericks in 2025)
2025-26 statistics: 6.6 ppg, 5.3 apg, 2.2 rpg in 60 games (27 starts)
The situation: Front office changes in Dallas played a role in Nembhard's move away from the Mavericks, who relied on the undrafted point guard heavily through long stretches of his rookie season. Nembhard was initially traded to Atlanta and then to Charlotte before finally washing up in Denver on a two-way contract. Gonzaga's single-season assists leader is expected to compete for backup point guard minutes behind Jamal Murray.
Malachi Smith, Toronto RaptorsExperience: Second season (signed 10-day contract with Brooklyn Nets in 2025)
2025-26 statistics: 8.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.3 apg in 15 games (4 starts)
The situation: Smith's success story continues three years after he won WCC Sixth Man of the Year honors at GU. The guard bided his time in the G League for the better part of three seasons before agreeing to a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets in March. Smith shot efficiently from the 3-point line and played well enough in other areas — he registered 19 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds against Milwaukee — to earn a two-way contract from Toronto.
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City ThunderExperience: Fourth season (drafted No. 2 overall by Oklahoma City in 2022)
2025-26 statistics: 17.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.9 bpg in 69 games (69 starts)
The situation: Oklahoma City fell short of reaching the NBA Finals last season, and Holmgren was largely ineffective matching up against San Antonio phenom Victor Wembanyama in the Western Conference finals. The former Gonzaga one-and-done center still posted career-best scoring and rebounding numbers while earning the first All-Star bid of his young career. Holmgren's role isn't expected to change much in year four, but keep an eye on potential double-big lineups featuring the 7-foot-1 All-Star and 7-foot-3 first-round rookie Aday Mara.
Andrew Nembhard, Indiana PacersExperience: Fifth season (drafted No. 31 overall by Indiana in 2022)
2025-26 statistics: 16.9 ppg, 7.7 apg, 2.8 rpg in 57 games (57 starts)
The situation: Despite playing the fewest games of his career, Nembhard predictably set career-high point and assist totals with Indiana point guard Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the season. Nembhard should return to more of an off-ball role with Haliburton back on the floor and the Pacers are expected to be competitive in the Eastern Conference once again after last year's 19-63 record. Ideally the former Zag can replicate his outside shooting after making a career-high 36% of his 3's on a career-best 5.2 attempts per game.
Jalen Suggs, Orlando MagicExperience: Sixth season (drafted No. 5 overall by Orlando Magic in 2021)
2025-26 statistics: 13.8 ppg, 5.5 apg, 3.9 rpg in 57 games (56 starts)
The situation: Suggs almost willed Orlando to a first-round playoff series victory over Detroit, averaging 16.6 points and making nine 3-pointers over the final three games, but the Magic ultimately came up short in their seven-game series. A young Orlando team returns its starting five from last season and should still be a legitimate playoff contender, even in a vastly improved Eastern Conference. Suggs continued to look more comfortable as Orlando's primary ball-handler, leading the team in assists for the first time in his career.
Corey Kispert, Atlanta HawksExperience: Sixth season (drafted No. 15 overall in 2021 by Washington Wizards)
2025-26 statistics: 9.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.6 apg in 58 games (10 starts)
The situation: A midseason trade saw the Washington Wizards move Kispert and CJ McCollum to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Trae Young. It allowed the former Gonzaga sharpshooter to see playoff minutes for the first time in his career, though he struggled during an opening-round series against the New York Knicks, averaging 2.2 ppg off the bench while shooting 18.3% from the field and 8.3% from the 3-point line. Kispert could be Atlanta's third option at shooting guard this season, behind starter Nickeil Alexander-Walker and newly-acquired Lu Dort.
Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles ClippersExperience: Eighth season (drafted No. 9 overall by Washington Wizards in 2021)
2025-26 statistics: 11.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.6 apg in 68 games (41 starts)
The situation: The former Gonzaga forward didn't have to go far — just 10 miles — to find his new NBA home. Hachimura moves on from the Lakers after four seasons and 36 playoff games, but the eighth-year pro should have no trouble nailing down a starting role with a Clippers team that moved on from Kawhi Leonard this offseason. Hachimura is expected to join a starting unit that could also include Darius Garland, Bradley Beal, Derrick Jones Jr. and Isaiah Jackson.
Zach Collins, Chicago BullsExperience: Ninth season (drafted No. 10 overall in 2017 by Portland Trail Blazers)
2025-26 statistics: 9.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.5 apg in 10 games
The situation: Collins is looking for a bounce-back season in Chicago after missing time due to a left wrist fracture and toe injury — injuries that sidelined him for all but 10 regular-season games. The reserve forward/center missed the Bulls' entire preseason slate with his toe injury, but is optimistic about his chances to return for the team's opening game against Toronto. He's expected to compete for backup center minutes behind projected starter Nic Claxton.
Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento KingsExperience: 11th season (drafted No. 11 overall in 2016 by Oklahoma City Thunder)
2025-26 statistics: 15.8 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 4.1 apg in 19 games (15 starts)
The situation: One of the most durable players in the NBA the last 11 seasons, Sabonis was limited to a career-low 19 games after partially tearing his meniscus. Despite seeing his name in trade rumors throughout the summer, Sabonis returns to Sacramento for year six seeking a return to the playoffs after the Kings won just 22 games with the former All-Star sidelined most of the year. It could be an uphill battle for a team that already suffered two major injuries, to Maxime Raynaud and Ben Simmons, during the preseason.
Drew Timme, Phoenix Suns Experience: Third season (signed 10-day contract with Brooklyn Nets in 2024)
2025-26 statistics: 3.4 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 0.9 apg in 27 games (one start)
The situation: Timme was a last-second addition for Phoenix, which signed the forward off waivers on Monday, two days after he was released by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Gonzaga's career scoring leader took the Suns' final two-way contract, meaning he'll split time between the NBA team in Phoenix and G League team in Tempe. Timme's playing time with the Los Angeles Lakers was sparse last season, but the former Zag was one of the top scorers in the G League, averaging 23.9 points for South Bay.
Washington State
Cedric Coward, Memphis GrizzliesExperience: Second season (drafted No. 11 overall by Memphis Grizzlies in 2025)
2025-26 statistics: 13.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.8 apg in 62 games (47 starts)
The situation: The former Washington State/Eastern Washington wing earned NBA All-Rookie honors last year and should take on an expanded role for a Memphis team that traded All-Star point guard Ja Morant in the offseason. Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo indicated Coward could be handling the ball more in Year 2 and the wing was generally solid in four preseason games, recording 11 assists with just two turnovers.
Isaac Jones, Detroit PistonsExperience: Third season (signed undrafted two-way contract with Sacramento in 2024)
2025-26 statistics: 1.3 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.1 bpg in seven games (one start)
The situation: After his move from Sacramento last November, Jones should benefit from having a full offseason in Detroit's system. The former Washington State and Idaho standout only played in four games for the Pistons, but he excelled with the G League Motor City Cruise, earning All G League First Team honors after averaging 22.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 1.9 blocks. Jones could see more time with the NBA team in Detroit this season, but for now he's projected to be the Pistons' third or fourth option at power forward.
Jaylen Wells, Memphis GrizzliesExperience: Third season (drafted No. 39 overall by Memphis Grizzlies in 2024)
2025-26 statistics: 12.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.6 apg in 69 games (69 starts)
The situation: Despite moving to the bench during the team's fourth preseason game, Wells, who's started in all but five of his 148 career games, is expected to return to the Grizzlies' starting lineup alongside Coward, point guard Ty Jerome, forward Cameron Boozer and center Zach Edey. The third-year pro was on track to play all 82 games last season before a toe injury kept him off the court for the final three weeks.
Mouhamed Gueye, Atlanta HawksExperience: Fourth season (drafted No. 39 overall by Atlanta Hawks in 2023)
2025-26 statistics: 4.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.9 apg in 77 games (eight starts)
The situation: A left foot fracture will keep Gueye out for the start of the regular season, but the former Coug's positional versatility should still be valuable for an Atlanta team that likes to deploy him at both power forward and center. Gueye's production and efficiency have fluctuated but the Senegal native appeared in a career-high 77 games last season — more than twice from the previous year — and the Hawks still see long-term potential in someone who brings length, shooting and athleticism to the frontcourt rotation.
Klay Thompson, Miami HeatExperience: 14th season (drafted No. 11 overall by Golden State in 2011)
2025-26 statistics: 11.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.4 apg in 69 games (eight starts)
The situation: For the first time in his accomplished career, Thompson was demoted to a bench role and averaged just over 21 minutes per game for the Dallas Mavericks. The veteran guard shot a career-low 38.3% from the 3-point line and struggled to turn things around during Miami's preseason, when Thompson made just 3 of his 20 attempts from deep. Despite his cold shooting stretch, Thompson is expected to take a starting spot in Miami, where he'll play alongside Davion Mitchell, former Golden State teammate Andrew Wiggins, Giannis Antetekounmpo and Bam Adebayo.