Gonzaga forward Corey Kispert returning for senior season

The Edmonds native and King’s High School product averaged 13.9 points as a junior.

  • By Wire Service
  • Monday, August 3, 2020 2:48pm
  • Sports

Associated Press

SPOKANE — Corey Kispert will not pursue professional options and is returning to Gonzaga for his senior season.

Kispert’s decision, announced by the school Monday, comes two days after guard Joel Ayayi announced he will be back for his junior season in Spokane.

“Returning to school gives me the best opportunity to not only improve my game to be ready for the NBA, but also to give my best and final shot at the national championship that we have been coming so close to for years,” Kispert said in a statement. “I am so excited to get to work with the phenomenal team we have this year.”

A 6-foot-7 small forward, Kispert averaged 13.9 points and led the Zags with 78 3-pointers as a junior. He was part of two Elite Eight teams and helped put Gonzaga in position for a possible No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed before the tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Gonzaga center Filip Petrusev will not be back after opting to play professionally in Serbia, but coach Mark Few has signed one of the program’s best recruiting classes. The return of Kispert and Ayayi will likely put the Zags among the favorites to win the 2021 national championship.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Lake Stevens’ Emerson Cummins takes a swing at a pitch against Glacier Peak on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep softball roundup for Monday, March 24

Emerson Cummins hits two home runs to power an 8-6 comeback win for Lake Stevens.

X
Prep baseball roundup for Monday, March 24

Malachi Noet hits three homers as Kamiak cruises to 18-0 win.

Everett Silvertips winger Dominik Rymon (center) drives toward the puck after a failed Wenatchee shot in Everett's 5-0 win against the Wild in Everett, Washington on March 21, 2025. Rymon is flanked by, from left to right, defenseman Landon DuPont, winger Jesse Heslop, defenseman Eric Jamieson and center Julius Miettinen, while goalie Jesse Sanche is squared in net behind them. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Silvertips cruise past Wenatchee in regular season home finale

Despite secured top seed, Everett rides 4-goal first period, 52 shots on goal to 5-0 win.

Wolfpack dramatic comeback beats Oregon for AF1 win

Washington overcomes 22-0 halftime deficit to beat Lightning 35-28.

Everett Silvertips overage forwards (from left to right) Tyler MacKenzie, Austin Roest and Dominik Rymon take a lap and salute the crowd at Angel of the Winds Arena after winning the regular season home finale 5-0 against the Wenatchee Wild in Everett, Washington on March 21, 2025. WHL teams are allowed just three 20-year-old -- or 'overage' -- players on their roster, and the trio's WHL careers will end following the Silvertips' upcoming postseason. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Silvertips honor their three overage players ahead of postseason

Roest, MacKenzie and Rymon hope to lead Everett to a WHL title before their junior careers end.

Arlington’s Aiden Jones (8) pitches during a baseball game between Monroe and Arlington at Monroe High School on Friday, April 26, 2024 in Monroe, Washington. Monroe secured a win in an eighth inning, 4-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Prep baseball roundup for Friday, March 21

Aiden Jones’ 12-K day leads Arlington to a 3-0 win over Glacier Peak

Lake Stevens’ Mara Sivley tries to snag a liner hit toward her during the game against Glacier Peak on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball roundup for Friday, March 21

Mara Sivley’s 14 strikeouts highlight a 5-2 Lake Stevens win.

Shorewood's Rylie Gettmann hits the ball during a Class 3A District 1 girls tennis tournament at Snohomish High School in Snohomish, Washington on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Prep girls tennis roundup for Friday, March 21

Shorewood sweeps Lynnwood to start the season 2-0.

Glacier Peak’s Tyler Larsen lines up for a shot during the game against Snohomish on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer roundup for Friday, March 21

Larsens shine as Glacier Peak downs Mariner 3-0.

Lake Stevens junior Camden Blevins-Mohr swims his way to a state title in the 100 yard butterfly during the WIAA 4A Boys Swim and Dive Championships on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lake, Snohomish, Shorecrest lead all-league boys swimming

Wesco has released its all-league boys wrestling teams for 4A, 3A North,… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 20

Riley Pevny hits for the cycle for Lakewood softball in wild 23-21 win against Mt. Baker.

Stanwood senior Gavin Gehrman delivers a pitch during the Spartans' 8-3 win against Arlington in Stanwood, Washington on March 19, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Stanwood baseball beats Arlington in reformed rivalry game

Gavin Gehrman drives in 2 runs, pitches 3 hitless innings in the 8-3 win against former 3A foe.

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.