Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert, an Edmonds native who attended King’s High School, shoots against Saint Mary’s during a game on March 10, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert, an Edmonds native who attended King’s High School, shoots against Saint Mary’s during a game on March 10, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Edmonds native Kispert named preseason All-American

The Gonzaga standout averaged 13.9 points and made 78 3-pointers last season.

By Jim Meehan / The Spokesman-Review

Gonzaga senior forward Corey Kispert was named to the AP preseason All-America team, the Bulldogs’ first first-team selection since Kyle Wiltjer prior to the 2016 season.

Kispert, an Edmonds native who attended King’s High School, and Arizona State’s senior Remy Martin tied for the fifth and final spot. They’re joined on the first team by Iowa senior Luka Garza, Oklahoma State freshman Cade Cunningham, Baylor senior Jared Butler and Illinois junior Ayo Dosunmu.

Gonzaga, ranked No. 1 in the AP preseason poll, faces No. 2 Baylor on Dec. 5 in Indianapolis and No. 5 Iowa on Dec. 19 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Kispert earned numerous honors after averaging 13.9 points and hitting a team-leading 78 3-pointers last season. He was a finalist for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award, first-team All-WCC, U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-District IX, Academic All-WCC (for the second time) and the DI-AAA Athletic Directors Association (ADA) men’s basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The business administration major carries a 3.43 grade-point average.

Kispert improved his scoring average by nearly six points from his sophomore season. The 6-foot-7 wing paced GU in minutes played (33.0 per game). He made 43.8% of his 3-point attempts, highest among players in the rotation, and 81% percent at the free-throw line. He contributed 4.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists.

Gonzaga is 95-10 in Kispert’s 105 career games. The Zags have captured three WCC regular-season titles and reached the 2018 Sweet 16 and 2019 Elite Eight. Gonzaga was projected as a No. 1 seed before last year’s NCAA tournament was canceled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kispert declared for the NBA draft before opting to return for his senior season. He was recently named CBSSports.com preseason first-team All-America, preseason first-team All-WCC and he’s on the Erving Award preseason watch list. He was listed No. 9 on CBSSports.com’s preseason top 101 players.

Wiltjer received the most preseason All-America votes from the AP media panel entering his senior season. Rui Hachimura was tied for ninth in the 2019 preseason balloting.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin puts three fingers in the air after making a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 15

Leyton Martin’s triple-double leads Arlington to district win

Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs

The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district playoff clash.

Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

Freshman leads Jackson to 4A district swim title

Syunta Lee sets two meet records as Timberwolves edge Lake Stevens.

Shorecrest wins 3A district swim title

Snohomish’s Torsten Hokanson sets two meet records and leads two winning relays.

Marysville Pilchuck claims 2A district wrestling title

Tomahawks win three individual championship bouts.

Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

Gonzaga sets school record with 33 assists in blowout

The first half started with Khalif Battle hitting consecutive 3-pointers… Continue reading

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire run game coach

Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.