Sam Funches, a highly regarded center in the 2026 recruiting class, is currently in the process of rescheduling his official visit to Gonzaga. The promising athlete, ranked No. 41 in the 247Sports composite rankings, has two potential weekends in mind: June 27-29 or the weekend of Kraziness in the Kennel, tentatively set for October 4.
Funches had initially planned to visit Gonzaga on February 14-16, but was unable to do so due to his Germantown high school team competing in the Mississippi state playoffs, where they ultimately claimed the 7A championship. In that crucial game against Madison Central, Funches posted an impressive performance with 16 points and seven rebounds.
The 7’0″, 220-pound center has received a total of 23 offers and has already visited several schools, including Kansas, Ole Miss, and Cal. He is also eyeing trips to Vanderbilt, LSU, and Mississippi State, in addition to Gonzaga. The Gonzaga program typically invites high-profile recruits to experience games firsthand, particularly during the festive offseason weekends like Kraziness in the Kennel and Hoopfest, a major annual three-on-three basketball tournament that transforms Spokane into a vibrant basketball hub.
This interest from Funches highlights Gonzaga’s attempts to build its 2026 recruiting class, currently without any commitments. While Funches is the only confirmed offer from Gonzaga so far, there are discussions surrounding top prospects like the top-ranked Tyran Stokes and small forward Dean Rueckert.
Funches’s burgeoning stature and basketball prowess promise to make him a significant recruit for Gonzaga, reinforcing the team’s reputation in recruiting top talent. His upcoming visit could be a defining moment for both the player and the program, as they aim to build upon their successes.