Breaking News: Saint Mary’s Gaels’ Ashton Hardaway Flips Commitment to Gonzaga Bulldogs
Moraga, CA — In a major development for the world of college basketball, top recruit Ashton Hardaway has announced that he is flipping his commitment from Saint Mary’s to the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The highly regarded forward, who had previously committed to the Gaels, made the decision to join Gonzaga in a move that has sent shockwaves through the West Coast Conference and the broader college basketball landscape.
Hardaway, a versatile 6-foot-7 forward from the San Francisco Bay Area, is considered one of the top high school prospects in the nation for the 2024 recruiting class. Known for his exceptional scoring ability, athleticism, and strong defensive presence, Hardaway was expected to be a cornerstone player for Saint Mary’s. However, after a series of conversations with Gonzaga head coach Mark Few and his coaching staff, Hardaway has decided to take his talents to Spokane, Washington, where the Bulldogs are known for their dominant program and consistent national title contention.
“I want to thank Saint Mary’s and their coaching staff for all the support during my recruitment process,” Hardaway said in a statement. “However, after a lot of thought and discussion with my family, I’ve decided that Gonzaga is the best place for me to grow as a player and pursue my goals. The opportunity to join a program with such a rich tradition of excellence and a proven track record of developing players has always been something I’ve aspired to. I’m excited to be a part of the Gonzaga family.”
Hardaway’s flip to Gonzaga comes as no surprise to some, as the Bulldogs have long been known for their elite recruiting efforts and consistent presence in the NCAA Tournament. Gonzaga has produced a number of NBA-caliber players over the years, including Jalen Suggs, Brandon Clarke, and more recently, Drew Timme. Under the leadership of head coach Mark Few, the Bulldogs have been a perennial powerhouse in college basketball and are annually considered a contender for the national championship.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Ashton to our program,” Coach Few said in a statement. “Ashton is an incredible talent with a high ceiling. We’re excited to help him develop his game and add to the tradition of excellence that we’ve built here at Gonzaga.”
For Saint Mary’s, Hardaway’s departure is a tough blow. The Gaels had high hopes for the forward and had been working hard to build a competitive program around his abilities. Though the loss of Hardaway stings, Saint Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett will undoubtedly continue to develop a strong roster in the coming seasons and look for new talent to step into a leadership role.
With Hardaway now joining the ranks of Gonzaga’s elite players, the Bulldogs are expected to be even more formidable in the upcoming season. Fans are already eagerly awaiting his arrival in Spokane, as the talented forward looks to make an immediate impact and help Gonzaga in their pursuit of a national title.
As the 2024 season approaches, all eyes will be on Hardaway and Gonzaga, who will aim to build on their rich legacy of success with one of the most exciting young players in college basketball.
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