Sound the alarm, Zags got dudes!
— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) May 2, 2025
Go Zags https://t.co/hOB3j9IWAR
— Parker Jefferson (@ParkerJeff23) May 2, 2025
After three-star recruit Parker Jefferson wrapped up his official visit to Spokane this Friday morning, he committed to Gonzaga right then and there. He was one of the top uncommitted players left in the 2025 class and will be joining four-star guard Davis Fogle in the Zags’ incoming freshman class.
The 6-10, 230-pound power forward/center decommitted from the Minnesota Golden Gophers after coach Ben Johnson was fired. The Waxahachie, Texas native played his senior year of high school basketball with Inglewood, California. Jefferson went on to average 16.3 points on a 53 field goal percentage, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game.
According to 247 Sports, the skilled big man ranks No. 164 in the nation, No. 25 at the center position, and No. 19 in the state of California. Gonzaga does a wonderful job of developing bigs, similar to what they did with another Texas native in Brooklyn Nets forward Drew Timme.
“When my recruitment first started, all I was hearing was ‘You’re a Gonzaga type of guy.’ Now that I finally got to get to campus and meet the staff, I knew right away this is where I belong.” – Parker Jefferson via On3’s Joe Tipton
“He has good hands, very passer friendly, and can receive passes in traffic. His range extends beyond the three-point line with consistency. The athleticism will be a question, but he is still young with a September 2006 birthday. As he continues to grow, there is a skill and IQ foundation to build on.” – On3’s Jamie Shaw on Parker Jefferson
Gonzaga’s 2025-26 frontcourt will consist of:
Senior Graham Ike
Junior Braden Huff
Sophomore Ismaila Diagne
Freshman Parker Jefferson
It’s a healthy mix of veterans and young talent who are long and and athletic. Heading into the season, this group will be considered one of the best in the country.
This moves coach Mark Few’s 2025-26 roster to nine scholarships filled of the 15 spots available. Braeden Smith, Steele Venters, Emmanuel Innocenti, Jalen Warley, Davis Fogle, Braden Huff, Ismaila Diagne, Graham Ike, and now Parker Jefferson.
Given how the team is far from complete, it’s much too early for the Jefferson to decide to redshirt or not. After getting off the phone with his agent, Ryan Murphy of Endurance Sports (who says that Jefferson is on his way back home at the Spokane International Airport), The Slipper Still Fits hopes to learn more about the 18 year old’s future soon.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho