Byron Wesley will Transfer to Gonzaga for Senior Season
By Josh Horton
Feb 8, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Byron Wesley (22) celebrates after a 3-point basket in the first half against the UCLA Bruins at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
About a week after the transfer announcement of former Gonzaga guard Gerard Coleman , the Zags picked up his replacement on the roster.
Byron Wesley, a 6-foot-5 wing from the University of Southern California, will play for Gonzaga in 2014-2015 as a graduate transfer.
The Bulldogs edged out Oklahoma State and Pittsburgh for Wesley’s services. Wesley visited Oklahoma State on May 2 and visited Gonzaga on May 9. He had a visit scheduled for Pitt on May 16, but canceled it upon committing to the Bulldogs.
From the very start, Gonzaga was among the favorites to land Wesley, especially after his father named GU the favorite in a story by Yahoo Sports.
Wesley was very productive for a USC team that struggled in his three years there. The Etiwanda high school product scored 9.6 points per game and 10.2 points per game during his freshman and sophomore years respectively. This past season, Wesley averaged 17.8 points, as well as 6.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Much like the departed Coleman, Wesley is a tenacious dribble drive player that can finish in a myriad of different ways around the basket. He has also shown the ability to keep the defense honest by knocking down a perimeter jumper; Wesley shot a 33.8 percent clip from behind the arc last season as his jump shot continues to develop.
According to USC’s official athletics website, he a “strong defender” as well.
“Byron Wesley is a 6-foot-5, 210-pound junior guard who can score in a variety of ways and is a strong defender.”
Wesley is just another piece too an already gigantic puzzle for the Bulldogs. With his talent, it will be hard for Coach Few to deny him playing time, but it will be reassuring to know that the Zags have many other options as well.