Gonzaga Players as Star Wars Characters

While in Seattle with the Gonzaga Bulldog Band to watch the Zags play in second and third round games of the NCAA tournament I went to the EMP in Seattle.  The EMP (Experience Music Project) is this awesome interactive museum of music and science fiction.  It has great exhibits on rock n’ roll history including an exhibit on one of the greatest guitarists of all time and Seattle native, Jimi Hendrix.

There is a massive exhibit on fantasy books, movies, and games.  One of my favorite exhibits is on horror movies and why people have a fascination with being scared.  There is also the opportunity to play musical instruments and jam with other people.  One traveling exhibit that was at the EMP while I was there was on costumes from Star Wars.  The costumes were used in the filming of the movies and it was an awesome exhibit.  I highly recommend all of our readers in Seattle to go check it out!

Visiting this museum inspired me to compare the Gonzaga team to Star Wars characters.  Let me know if you think my comparisons are correct or if you have a different opinion!

Kevin Pangos as Luke Skywalker

March 20, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Kevin Pangos (4) controls the ball against North Dakota State Bison during the second half of the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at KeyArena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

This is an easy one.  Just look at that hair!  Pangos and Luke are both talented and good leaders.  Both kind of emerged out of nowhere.  Pangos played right away as a freshman and immediately made a huge splash.  Luke is recruited by Obi-Wan Kanobi and surprises people with his power right away.  Both cemented their roles over time.

Gary Bell Jr. as Jango Fett

Jan 8, 2015; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Gary Bell, Jr. (5) run the top of the key against the San Francisco Dons during the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

This one was a little more difficult. I think that Bell Jr. identifies with Jango Fett because they are both quiet assassins. They are both silent at times, but strike in clutch moments. They may often be overlooked and this can be dangerous for the opposition.

Byron Wesley as Mace Windu

March 20, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; March 20, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Byron Wesley (22) moves the ball up court against North Dakota State Bison during the first half of the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at KeyArena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Wesley came in as a transfer from USC. Mace Windu did not appear until the prequels. Both made big impacts immediately even though they were not involved for as long as others. Mace Windu has the unique purple lightsaber. Wesley has his unique style of play from the three spot. Gonzaga has not had a player who is as aggressive as he is at the three in years.

Kyle Wiltjer as Han Solo

March 22, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Kyle Wiltjer (33) reacts after a scoring play against Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at KeyArena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

I like Kyle Wiltjer as Han Solo because both are integral to their respective stories. Kyle Wiltjer is Gonzaga’s best player. He can sometimes come off as having a cocky attitude as well. Han Solo is a main character and without him the story is completely different. He works well with Luke just like Wiltjer works well with Pangos. Han Solo also has a similar attitude to Wiltjer.

Przemek Karnowski as Chewbacca

March 20, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs center Przemek Karnowski (24) reacts after drawing a foul against North Dakota State Bison during the first half of the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at KeyArena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Karnowski and Chewbacca are both known for their superior strength. Karnowski is also known to celebrate strong plays in the paint with the flex move that Chewbacca is doing in the picture above. They may seem menacing on the outside, but when you get to know Karnowski and Chewbacca, they are both nice, friendly, and liked by all.

Domantas Sabonis as General Grievous

March 10, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Domantas Sabonis (11) shoots the basketball against Brigham Young Cougars forward Luke Worthington (41) during the first half in the finals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

I feel like General Grievous and Sabonis have similar body types. They are both long and tall. Sabonis may not actually have four arms, but it can seem like he does when he’s down low grabbing boards or going up for a dunk. They are both known to wreak havoc when they are let loose.

Silas Melson as R2-D2

Jan 24, 2015; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Silas Melson (0) shoots the ball against the Pacific Tigers during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs won 91-60. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Melson has played the role of the utility player this season. He is often called to come into the game in a variety of different situations. He is reliable. R2-D2 is the same way. The droid helps other get out of trouble, but sometimes gets into trouble of his own. Both Melson and R2-D2 are confident.

Kyle Dranginis as C-3PO

Feb 28, 2015; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Kyle Dranginis (3) attempts a free throw against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Cougars won 73-70. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

C-3PO is often known as the voice of reason. He is cautious and doesn’t make quick judgements. Kyle Dranginis can be thought of as the voice of reason for the Zags. He comes in to get an extra rebound or to add some energy to the game. When Dranginis is in the game it wakes the Zags up and makes them realize that they need to play hard and fight for 50/50 balls.

Angel Nunez as Anakin Skywalker

Nov 22, 2014; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Angel Nunez (2) makes a three-pointer against the Saint Thomas Aquinas Spartans during the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Anakin started out good. He was sometimes overlooked and he ultimately ended up using his strong powers for the dark side. Nunez is a nice guy who is generally seen smiling. He can sometimes be overlooked, but when he comes into the game he has dark intentions. He wants to nail threes and dunk on anyone willing to play defense. He might celebrate and look happy on the bench, but when he comes in the game, Nunez is a bad man.

Eric McClellan as Jar Jar Binks

Jan 24, 2015; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Eric McClellan (21) drives the baseline against the Pacific Tigers during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs won 91-60. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

This is not meant to be an insult at all. Jar Jar Binks is one of my favorite characters. If you have ever seen McClellan celebrate on the court or on the bench you understand why I am making this connection. McClellan, like Jar Jar Binks, is a character. McClellan always has the most creative celebrations.

Rem Bakamus, Dustin Triano, and Connor Griffin as the Cantina Band

Just watch this video and it will all make sense.

Tommy Lloyd as Obi-Wan Kenobi

Dec 15, 2014; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs assistant coach Tommy Lloyd walks off the court after a game against the Texas Southern Tigers at McCarthey Athletic Center. Bulldogs won 94-54. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Tommy Lloyd is known as an amazing recruiter of talented players who often fly under the radar of other teams. He is wise. He knows what to look for in good players and he knows how to develop their skills. Obi-Wan Kenobi knows what a good Jedi looks like. He recruits Luke in the beginning. Neither Lloyd or Obi-Wan Kenobi are the stars of the show, but both are extremely important, especially behind the scenes.

Mark Few as Yoda

Jan 10, 2015; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few looks on against the Santa Clara Broncos during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs won 79-57. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Few played college baseball. He was once a great athlete just like how Yoda was once a great Jedi Knight. In Yoda’s old age he has wisdom to pass down. He is knowledgeable, philosophical, and unquestioned. Few is not quite as old as Yoda, but he is experienced and trains Jedi Knights of his own to go into battle against the dark side.

This was a fun article to write. I want feedback on this one. Do you agree? Disagree? Let me know. May the Force be with you and go Zags!