Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Graham Ike made headlines on Tuesday as he reached a significant milestone in his college basketball career. During a matchup against the Creighton Bluejays, Ike connected on three three-pointers within the first four minutes of the game. This achievement not only marked his first threes of the season but also propelled him to surpass 2,000 career points.
Career Milestone Achievement
Entering the game with 1,991 career points, Ike has built an impressive scoring record over five years. His journey includes 778 points earned at Wyoming from 2020 to 2022. After missing the entirety of the 2022-23 season due to a leg injury, he transferred to Gonzaga. In his debut season with the Zags during 2023-24, he led the West Coast Conference (WCC) with a total of 576 points, averaging 16.5 points per game.
Record-Breaking Performance
In the 2024-25 season, Ike improved upon his scoring, recording 605 points over 35 games and raising his average to 17.3 points per game. The 2,000-point milestone distinguishes him as one of only three players in Gonzaga’s history to achieve this feat. The others include Frank Burgess (1958-1961) and Jim McPhee (1985-1990). Notably, Drew Timme is the only other player to surpass 2,000 points during the Mark Few era.
Unique Scoring Capability
- Graham Ike’s major scoring milestones:
- 1,991 points before the game against Creighton
- 2,000 career points achieved during the game
- 576 points in the 2023-24 season
- 605 points in the 2024-25 season
Despite his remarkable scoring abilities, many elite players at Gonzaga, such as Kyle Wiltjer (1,909 points) and Rasir Bolton (1,867 points), did not reach the 2,000-point mark. The transfer portal era poses challenges for long-term scoring at one institution, making Ike’s achievement even more noteworthy.
Acknowledged Talent
As he approached this crucial season, Ike received multiple preseason accolades. He was included on the Karl Malone Award watch list, recognizing him as one of the top power forwards in the nation. Additionally, he was featured on the National Association of Basketball Coaches preseason All-American watch list and the Naismith Trophy Award watch list, along with being named to CBS’s preseason All-American Third Team.
The Gonzaga community celebrates Ike’s exceptional talent and hopes he continues to impact college basketball positively as he finishes his final season.
