The Gonzaga Bulldogs, unable to convince the nation’s fifth-leading scorer to move across the country, are now trying to convince an Italian point guard to move halfway across the world to play in Spokane.
Multiple media outlets report that Federico Mussini is the latest in a long line of foreign players to attract Gonzaga’s attention in recent years. ESPN.com reported that Mussini said Gonzaga and St. John’s are recruiting him with the most fervor.
The Bulldogs lost out on Drexel guard Damion Lee when Louisville announced Lee has agreed to play for the Cardinals next season. Lee averaged 21.6 points for Drexel this past season. He will have immediate eligibility at Louisville if he graduates, as planned, in June.
Gonzaga was one of five finalists for Lee’s services, including Arizona.
The Bulldogs had also pursued Kansas State guard Marcus Foster, but he is transferring to Creighton. Foster, who was kicked off the Wildcats at the end of the season after repeated clashes with coach Bruce Weber, averaged 14.1 points and 2.2 assists in two years at Kansas State.
Gonzaga appears to still be in the hunt for Missouri transfer Johnathan Williams III. TheSlipperStillFits.com reported that Williams is scheduled to visit Gonzaga this weekend. Washington Huskies point guard Nigel Williams-Goss, who also is set to transfer, is another player who has shown interest in Gonzaga.
Williams, a 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward from Memphis, Tenn., led Missouri (9-23) with 11.9 points and 7.1 rebounds as a sophomore in 2014-15. Williams was recruited to Missouri by Frank Haith, who left the Tigers after Williams’ freshman year to coach Tulsa.
“We appreciate the competitiveness that Johnathan brought to our Missouri program,” Anderson said in a statement released by Missouri, “and we certainly wish him the best of luck in the future.”
The Bulldogs exhaled recently when starting big men Kyle Wiltjer and Przemek Karnowski announced they would spurn the pros to return to Gonzaga for their senior seasons. However, reserve forward Angel Nunez is set to transfer to South Florida for his final season.
