SPOKANE, Wash. — Gonzaga’s Graham Ike continues to build one of the most impressive résumés in college basketball.
Ike was recently named the West Coast Conference Player of the year and leads all active players in career points with nearly 2,500. His 1,118 rebounds rank second.
But for Ike, the energy of the game often begins with the atmosphere inside the McCarthey Athletic Center.
“Once I start hearing the Kennel get rocking, those last five minutes, it’s go time,” Ike said. “It just like kind of gets me going a little bit and then after that, I get my little jump one two, one two, before the jump ball and then it’s go time.”
This season, he averaged more than 19 points per game, anchoring Gonzaga’s offense, but statistics alone don’t define why he plays.
“It’s been amazing, I think the camaraderie, the connection that I feel and also competition, no doubt about it,” he said. “ The will to win, the want to win, I believe that. So that’s definitely why I play the game. “
Beyond the court, Ike says his motivation runs deeper than wins and scoring totals. He believes he carries the legacy of those who came before him, while setting an example for those who will follow.
“It means a lot, I just want to continue my family’s legacy of greatness. I just want to show love at all times, unconditional love as much as I can, and just continue to show up every day for myself,” Ike said. “For the generation that showed up for me without them even knowing that I would be here, and then the future generation that is to come after me.”
As Gonzaga prepares for another run in March, Ike is also reflecting on his legacy as a Zag.
“This experience has been everything and then some, that I wanted and that I looked for,” he said “To be able to represent GU on the front of my chest, it’s an extreme honor because once again, those who have come before us have done it at such a high level.”
While the next chapter of his story is still to come, he says his family is just as proud of what he’s accomplished off the court.
“My family just couldn’t be more proud of me and they’re just really happy that I got a degree over everything, honestly,” he said. “The buckets are cool, the winning is cool, but that degree solidified it for them. This is really what I came to college for and I’m glad I could make my family proud through that.”
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