Izan Almansa has found his next home—and it's not in Europe. Gonzaga University announced Friday the signing of the Spanish power forward for the 2026-27 season, which tips off in the coming weeks. The news arrives just a day before the Bulldogs' exhibition game against Arkansas and ends months of waiting: Almansa committed to Gonzaga in May, but his arrival hinged on NCAA eligibility approval.
The decision was not straightforward. Almansa has already played professionally in the G League, in the Australian NBL, and at Real Madrid, and he entered the NBA Draft. The NCAA reviewed those stints and his earnings before giving the green light. His departure from Real Madrid, made official on August 20 by mutual agreement with a contract that ran through 2029, was the first step toward making it possible.
A limited role at Madrid
The 2025-26 season at Real Madrid did not give him the playing time he expected. In the Liga Endesa, he averaged 4.9 points and 2.2 rebounds in just over 10 minutes per game, competing in a crowded frontcourt rotation. Still, he maintained his place on the national team: he made his debut with Spain's senior squad in 2024 under Sergio Scariolo, and Chus Mateo called him up this summer for the 2027 World Cup qualifying window against Portugal and Greece.
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Two-time youth world MVP seeks to relaunch
At the youth level, few Spanish players have a résumé like his. He was MVP of the U18 European Championship that Spain won in 2022 and, in 2023, MVP of the U19 World Championship, also capturing gold, where he averaged 16.9 points and 7.1 rebounds on 61% from the field. He is the first player to win MVP honors at both the U17 and U19 World Championships. At Gonzaga, one of the programs best known for developing European talent, he will be the third option in the frontcourt behind Braden Huff and Massamba Diop, and will have the opportunity to regain minutes and confidence at age 21.