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Following an extended period of uncertainty, the Gonzaga Bulldogs have secured a much-needed point guard for the upcoming season. Javon Bennett, who spent his freshman year at Merrimack and the last three seasons at Dayton, announced his commitment to the program on Wednesday, utilizing his fifth and final year of eligibility.
Bennett was among 24 players granted an extra year of eligibility due to the Ohio lawsuit, which also allowed athletes to transfer without penalty. His arrival in Spokane marks a significant addition to a roster that already includes center Massamba Diop from Arizona State and guard Isiah Harwell from Houston, addressing a glaring need for a floor general.
Player Profile
Standing at 5'11", Bennett hails from Orlando, Florida. He began his collegiate career at Merrimack in the NEC, where he averaged 9.6 points, 3.4 assists, and a league-leading 2.9 steals per game, earning NEC Rookie of the Year honors. He then transferred to Dayton, where he progressively increased his scoring output each season.
In his senior year with the Flyers, Bennett posted averages of 15.8 points, 2.9 assists, and 1.5 steals across 34.5 minutes per contest, shooting 45.3% from two-point range, 34.7% from beyond the arc, and 89.8% from the free-throw line. His most prolific shooting season came as a junior, when he connected on 39% of his 5.4 three-point attempts per game. Though his percentage dipped in the following season, he attempted seven threes per game and made 90 total, ranking third in the conference and nearly doubling Gonzaga's team leader, Mario Saint-Supery, who had 48.
Bennett showcased his ability against high-major competition last season, tallying 22 points and three assists while shooting 6-of-11 from deep against BYU, 25 points with two assists and two steals versus Florida State, and 19 points with four assists and three steals at Marquette.
Fit and Expectations
While Bennett may not replicate the passing prowess of Ryan Nembhard, he is a skilled ball-handler capable of orchestrating the offense and executing pick-and-roll plays. He can also shift into a scoring role when needed. In Gonzaga's system, which emphasizes play through the post and features scoring threats like Braden Huff, Davis Fogle, and Massamba Diop, Bennett is expected to take on more facilitation duties. His career assist-to-turnover ratio of 399-to-211 indicates he is well-suited for that responsibility.
Defensively, Bennett's 5'11" frame might be considered undersized, but he has demonstrated tenacity throughout his career, likely making him a disruptive presence against Pac-12 guards. The addition of Bennett does not preclude Gonzaga from pursuing Donovan Dent, but it provides the team with a starting-caliber point guard who is immediately eligible—a crucial development after the unexpected departures of Mario Saint-Supery and Jack Kayil.