The best current NBA player from every Sweet 16 team left in the NCAA Tournament
By Ben Handler
5. Gonzaga Bulldogs: Domantas Sabonis
The list of current Zags in the NBA is fairly impressive and none are impressing more than Domas at the moment. Sabonis leads the NBA with 25 triple-doubles this season and just set an NBA record with 54 consecutive double-doubles.
He’s putting up 20.4 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 8.2 assists this year, and leading the league in boards for the second straight season. The son of former great, Arvydas Sabonis, Domantas has his Kings primed for another playoff appearance, something that had become foreign to Kings fans before he showed up.
While Sabonis is mostly known for his offense, Gonzaga also boasts two of the best defenders in the league. Rookie big man Chet Holmgren has been a dominant rim protector for the Thunder and is a big reason why that team is competing for the top seed in the Western Conference.
Over in the East, the Zags also have one of the best perimeter defenders in the league in Jalen Suggs. Suggs was drafted highly and struggled early on, but he’s established himself as an elite defender and a solid shooter who can do a bit more. He’s one of the faces of the Magic’s top 5 defense that has the team vying for a top 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Most of the best all-time Zags are in the league currently, but that doesn’t include the clear GOAT, John Stockton, one of the best point guards in NBA history.