NCAA Clears Izan Almansa for Gonzaga Basketball

The 21-year-old forward is now eligible to play for the Bulldogs.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Basketball

NCAA Clears Izan Almansa for Gonzaga Basketball

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The NCAA has officially cleared 21-year-old Izan Almansa for eligibility at Gonzaga University. He is now set to join his teammates for the upcoming exhibition game against Arkansas.

Why it matters

Almansa provides significant experience to the roster, having previously played for the NBA G League Ignite, the Perth Wildcats, and Real Madrid. His clearance ensures that 14 of the 15 players on the Gonzaga roster are now eligible for competition.

Almansa is a 6'10 forward who averaged 10.5 points and 7.1 rebounds over 46 games for the NBA G League Ignite. During the recent Kraziness in the Kennel event, he recorded seven points, seven rebounds, and one assist in 14 minutes of play.

The players

Izan Almansa

He is a 21-year-old basketball player who joined Gonzaga after stints with the NBA G League Ignite, Perth Wildcats, and Real Madrid.

Gonzaga

This university is the home of the Bulldogs basketball team based in Spokane.

Nathan de Sousa

He is a 23-year-old player who also received NCAA eligibility clearance in late September 2026.

Chauncey Wiggins

He is a member of the Gonzaga basketball roster who remains ineligible for play.

The details

Gonzaga announced the eligibility update via social media after Almansa participated in team practices and the Kraziness in the Kennel event while pending review. The forward committed to the program on May 12, 2026, and retains three seasons of college eligibility.

Almansa played 46 games for the NBA G League Ignite during the 2023-24 season.
The forward officially committed to Gonzaga on May 12, 2026.
Nathan de Sousa received his own NCAA clearance in late September 2026.
The NCAA officially cleared Izan Almansa for eligibility on October 23, 2026.
Gonzaga is scheduled to play an exhibition game against Arkansas on October 24, 2026.

Season Trajectory

Almansa's eligibility significantly bolsters Gonzaga's frontcourt depth as the team enters the competitive portion of the season. His integration allows the Bulldogs to deploy a nearly full roster as they prepare for high-stakes matchups following their exhibition schedule.

With 14 of 15 players now eligible, the coaching staff gains full rotational flexibility for the upcoming exhibition against Arkansas. Fantasy analysts and observers should monitor his integration into the starting lineup after his seven-point performance during Kraziness in the Kennel.

The takeaway

The clearance of Almansa provides a major talent boost for the Bulldogs' frontcourt this season. Fans can now look forward to seeing him suit up alongside his teammates during the upcoming exhibition game.