Florida State and Leonard Hamilton are off to their best start since the 2019-20 season, sitting at 6-1, but one of their former prized prospects has been dealing with a unique situation.
Jalen Warley, who transferred away from the program this past offseason, initially went to Virginia before Tony Bennett stepped down a few weeks before the start of the season. That allowed players to enter the transfer portal but they’d have to sit out this season and not play until the 2025-26 season. The only player to take that path was Warley.
READ MORE: FSU Basketball Dominates UMass, 92-59, Best Start Since 2019-20
After visiting Iowa State and Gonzaga, Warley committed to Mark Few and the Zags on Monday. He has one season of eligibility remaining, so the 2025-26 season will be his final year in basketball.
NEWS: Virginia transfer guard Jalen Warley has committed to Gonzaga, he tells @On3sports.
The 6-7 senior is redshirting this year and will play for the Zags next season.
Story: https://t.co/uBXL6OmB5A pic.twitter.com/Nd7vgCUMsC
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) November 25, 2024
Warley signed with Florida State in 2021 as a five-star prospect but never developed how they hoped. He was an elite on-ball defender, but the offensive side was inconsistent. His last season in Tallahassee was his best, but even then, he only averaged 7.5 PPG and 2.8 APG.
Gonzaga has had a history of turning around former highly sought-after guards, sending Andrew Nembhard to the NBA a few years ago after he struggled at Florida. With a year off to develop, Warley could be an entirely different player for the Zags in 2025.
READ MORE: Mike Norvell Discusses Naming Luke Kromenhoek Starting QB Against Rival Florida
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