Gonzaga Set to Debut Key Players in Season Opener Against Texas Southern

Spokane, WA – The Gonzaga Bulldogs are ready to kick off the 2025-26 season as they host Texas Southern at the McCarthey Athletic Center on Monday at 6 p.m. The game, which will be broadcast locally on KHQ, marks the return of players Steele Venters, Braeden Smith, and Jalen Warley, who are eager to step back onto the court after lengthy absences.

For Venters, the wait has been particularly long, spanning 961 days due to successive injuries. “I’m super excited. Obviously, I’ve waited two years for this,” Venters said. His perseverance during rehabilitation has been noted by Gonzaga assistant coach Brian Michaelson, who highlighted the positive attitude Venters maintained throughout his recovery.

The 21st-ranked Zags are aiming to continue their impressive track record, having won 21 consecutive season openers since 2003. They are favored against the Tigers, who finished last season with a 15-17 record and are dealing with the loss of their top scorer and rebounder. Texas Southern returns only one double-digit scorer, Zaire Hayes, alongside guard Kolby Granger.

Coach Mark Few, now in his 27th season at Gonzaga, acknowledged the importance of flexibility at this stage. “The rotations will be a work in progress all year,” he stated. The matchup against Texas Southern provides an early opportunity to experiment with lineups and assess player dynamics, especially with new transfers and freshmen joining the squad.

As the Bulldogs prepare for what promises to be an exciting season, the contributions of Venters, Smith, and Warley will be closely monitored. Fans can expect to see an action-packed opener as Gonzaga looks to maintain its winning tradition and establish a strong start to the season.