Get ready for the rise of a global sensation! Mario Saint-Supery is poised to become the next big name in Gonzaga's rich history of international basketball dominance.
The Mark Few era has witnessed a remarkable trend: a plethora of foreign talents leaving their mark on the Gonzaga basketball team. From Ronny Turiaf to Rui Hachimura, the list is impressive. But here's where it gets intriguing: Mark Few and his staff possess an unparalleled knack for scouting, recruiting, and nurturing international players, a strategy that has been pivotal to the team's success over the past 25 years.
This summer, Gonzaga secured a significant international recruit in Mario Saint-Supery, a 6'3" guard from Malaga, Spain. The basketball world is abuzz with predictions of his NBA potential. While Saint-Supery is expected to contribute immediately, his true impact might be a year away.
Gonzaga's pursuit of Saint-Supery was a lengthy process, culminating in his commitment in late June. His journey to the spotlight began with a stellar performance for the Spanish FIBA U18 EuroBasket club, where he showcased his skills against top prospects like Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf, averaging an impressive 21.4 points and 6.3 assists.
Last season, Saint-Supery showcased his abilities in the ACB league with Baxi Manresa, one of the world's premier non-NBA leagues. In 33 games, he averaged 8.3 points and 2.1 assists in limited minutes, demonstrating his efficiency with a 36.5% three-point shooting percentage and an 86.7% free throw rate.
But his journey took an unexpected turn when he was selected to represent Spain at EuroBasket, becoming the youngest player to do so in over 15 years. His performance was exceptional, averaging 8.4 points and a remarkable 14-to-6 assist-to-turnover ratio in five games, solidifying his status as a top international prospect in college basketball.
Coach Few's comments in July hinted at Saint-Supery's versatility, suggesting he could excel both on and off the ball. However, his limited time with the coaching staff might initially confine him to an off-ball role, with Braeden Smith taking the lead at point guard. This strategy mirrors his role at Manresa, allowing him to adapt to Gonzaga's system gradually.
While Saint-Supery is expected to come off the bench in his freshman year, his role as a versatile guard and secondary playmaker is crucial. His ability to adapt to point guard duties in Coach Few's motion offense will be a key factor in determining his playing time as the season progresses.
The one-and-done speculation is intriguing, but a more realistic scenario sees Saint-Supery returning for his sophomore year in 2026-27, coinciding with Gonzaga's debut in the Pac-12. And here's the twist: he could evolve into a starting guard alongside Smith, reminiscent of Coach Few's most successful teams, which featured dynamic duos in the backcourt. Could this be the start of another legendary partnership? Only time will tell.
Do you think Saint-Supery will live up to the hype? Will he be a one-and-done phenomenon or a long-term contributor to Gonzaga's success? Share your thoughts in the comments!
