Gonzaga’s Graham Ike one of 15 players named to Wooden Award national ballot

March 7, 2026 Updated Sat., March 7, 2026 at 6:19 p.m.

By Theo Lawson theol@spokesman.com (509) 459-5584

The college basketball postseason has turned into awards season for Gonzaga’s Graham Ike.

Four days after earning West Coast Conference Player of the Year honors, the senior forward was one of 15 players named to the Wooden Award Men’s National Ballot.

The nomination means Ike is still in the running for the Wooden Award, given to the top player in college basketball, as well as a spot on the Wooden Award All-American team. The top five finalists for the award will be announced on April 4 during the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four on ESPN.

Ike led the WCC in scoring at 19.7 points per game and was second in rebounding at 8.3 boards per game. He also led the conference in field goal percentage, making 56.4% and finishing above 51% for the fifth time in five seasons.

The Colorado native finished the regular season with 13 double-doubles and set the school record by scoring at least 20 points in nine consecutive games. With 19 points, eight rebounds and a career-high seven steals against Portland on Feb. 25, Ike helped Gonzaga clinch the No. 1 seed at the WCC Tournament and a share of the conference regular-season title for the first time since 2022-23.

Joining Ike on the national ballot are Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr., Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson and JT Toppin, Duke’s Cameron Boozer, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears, Houston’s Kingston Flemings, Florida’s Thomas Haugh, Alabama’s Labaron Philon Jr., Purdue’s Braden Smith, Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson, Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg, Illinois’ Keaton Wagler and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Gonzaga’s Graham Ike one of 15 players named to Wooden Award national ballot

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Could a pair of former recruits be back in the mix for Gonzaga? | Transfer targets 1.0

Gonzaga finishes No. 18 in AP poll, No. 10 in NET rankings

Where you can find Gonzaga in 'way-too-early' 2026-27 college basketball rankings