Sharp-shooting guard Dusty Stromer on Sunday grew to become the primary dedication in Gonzaga’s 2023 recruiting class, roughly an hour after the Zags landed LSU switch heart Efton Reid for the upcoming season.
Stromer, a 6-foot-6, 180-pound guard at Notre Dame Excessive in Sherman Oaks, California, picked the Zags over UCLA and Arizona, the latter coached by former Gonzaga assistant coach Tommy Lloyd.
Stromer listed Houston in his last 4 in March. He had scholarship presents from quite a few packages, together with Louisville, Illinois, Creighton, Texas Tech, USC, UNLV and Texas A&M.
“This course of has been some of the superb experiences in my life and I’m so grateful for all of the packages that believed in me,” Stromer mentioned in an Instagram put up. “On the finish of the day, I may solely choose one faculty.
“I’m excited to announce I’m committing to Gonzaga College.”
Stromer is a high quality perimeter shooter on the catch or off the bounce. He’s a easy athlete with good measurement on the 2 or 3 place.
The four-star recruit is No. 47 nationally, in keeping with 247sports’ composite rankings, and No. 41 in On3’s consensus rankings. ESPN has Stromer at No. 46 general and fifth in California.
“I selected Gonzaga as a result of I simply felt that it was proper,” Stromer instructed On3. “My reference to all of the coaches is one thing that’s uncommon and I really feel that I get together with every coach very well.
“The taking part in type is ideal for me. I really like taking part in in transition and within the open courtroom. Gonzaga performs to my strengths and I believe that I may actually assist this system straight away. I additionally actually like Spokane and had nothing however nice experiences with everybody that I met on my two visits to Gonzaga.”
Stromer took an unofficial go to to Gonzaga in November when the top-ranked Zags thumped then-No. 5 Texas 86-74 on the McCarthey Athletic Middle. He visited once more in February for Gonzaga’s 74-58 house win over No. 22 Saint Mary’s together with Jared McCain, one other California standout who finally dedicated to Duke.
These visits to Spokane seemingly made a giant impression on Stromer, who additionally made a number of journeys to UCLA on unofficial visits.
“It’s unreal, there’s nothing prefer it in school basketball,” Stromer instructed The Spokesman-Evaluation throughout his February go to. “I’ve gone on a whole lot of visits and of that is the craziest setting I’ve seen simply so far as such fan base and the scholar part is loopy.
“The environment is simply unreal. It’s not like something I’ve ever seen and clearly the taking part in type they’ve and how briskly they play – they stand up and down and I actually like that.”
Stromer had a giant junior season for Notre Dame. He was named Mission League Participant of the Yr whereas serving to the Knights earn a share of the league title for the primary time since 2001. He averaged 20.2 factors, 6.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals. He hit 46% of his field-goal makes an attempt, together with 38% behind the 3-point line, and 78% on the free-throw line.
“Basketball has been who I’m since as younger as I can keep in mind,” Stromer mentioned in his announcement put up. “It has outlined my path, taught me self-discipline, dedication and persistence via hardship and failure.
“I’ve recognized for the reason that first time I performed the sport that I needed to push myself to the subsequent stage. I need to thank my household and people closest round me for believing within the long-haired, scrawny child that wouldn’t hand over.”
The Zags have reportedly provided scholarships to 2023 four-star guard Wesley Yates, of Beaumont, Texas, and five-star ahead JJ Taylor, from Simi Valley, California. The 6-8 Taylor is No. 8 in 247sports’ composite rankings and Yates is No. 38.
