Gonzaga’s Angel Nunez has tons of potential

March 8, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Angel Nunez (2) dunks against the Santa Clara Broncos during the first half in the quarterfinals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Last season 6-foot-8 forward Angel Nunez was in an interesting situation. He was required to sit out for the first semester after transferring from the University of Louisville. Once he was eligible to play, Nunez did not play as much as many fans expected. Many, including myself, expected him to eventually be in the starting lineup, but this was not the case as he averaged only 7.3 minutes per game.

I think that Nunez was definitely underutilized, but at the same time I can understand why he did not play much. He did not seem to have great chemistry with the rest of the team and often looked flustered. I remember that even from the stands I could hear point guard Kevin Pangos barking orders at him sometimes.

This issue could have been solved. If Nunez would have played more minutes at the very beginning of the second semester, he could have had more chemistry with the team and made a significant impact. I remember being so excited for Nunez to come into the game. Whenever he got the ball in his hands you could just tell that he was going to do something amazing. He can make the big plays as well as anyone.

Fast forward to the beginning of the 2014-15 season. I’m beyond excited to see what Nunez can do this season. He’s had a full year with this team and coaching staff. He should be familiar with the system by now. He’s a versatile player that can be used in multiple positions. I think that can play the three position in a larger lineup or he can play the four and do some dirty work in the paint.

From the three: Nunez is a great shooter. His shots are angelic. Even his missed shots look incredible. His form is perfect. His shots arc like a rainbow and you can see the rotation of the ball from anywhere in the McCarthy Center. I’ve said it many times before: one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen is a made free-throw from Angel Nunez.

From the four: At 6’ 8” and 200 pounds, Nunez has some strength. He also has long arms and an impressive vertical jump. Last season he showed promise with some nice post moves. Another huge contribution he could make at the four spot is defense. Gonzaga is notorious for not having the greatest defenses, but Nunez can really lock guys down.

Nunez may not be a starter, especially with the arrival of Byron Wesley and the eligibility of Kyle Wiltjer, but he can still make a major impact on a Zags team that is loaded with talent.