Gonzaga’s Drew Timme was one of two unanimous selections, alongside Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe, on the preseason AP All American team.
Timme is shooting for his third All American nomination, while Tshiebwe is the first returning National Player of the Year since Tyler Hansbrough in 2009.
Joining Timme and Tshiebwe is North Carolina’s Armando Bacot, Houston’s Marcus Sasser, and Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis.
There are seven players showing up on the majority of preseason All-American lists: the five listed above, as well as Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson and UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez.
College basketball has more returning starpower than usual this season, thanks to the COVID-19 extra year of eligibility, the NBA’s lack of interest in non-shooting big men, and of course NIL laws that allow college athletes to make money while still in school.
Timme and Tshiebwe will face off on November 20 when the Zags take on the Wildcats at the Spokane Arena. Although Gonzaga doesn’t have matchups with any other preseason All-Americans, the schedule is loaded with talented opponents including Baylor, Texas, Alabama, Michigan State, and potentially Duke in the PK85.
The Zags tip off with an exhibition game against Tennessee on October 28, before the first real game of the season on November 7 against North Florida.
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Writer – Ducks Wire