When Josh Perkins signed his Letter of Intent to play for Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs, expectations couldn’t have been higher for one of 2014’s most highly-touted point guards. From his mixtapes to his offer list, the buzz was palpable.
But things didn’t go as planned, as Perkins suffered a broken on November 26 in a win over Georgia, missing the remainder of his freshman season. It was the first major injury in his career, and one that kept from him truly utilizing the chance of playing under star Kevin Pangos.
One year older, more physically and mentally mature, ‘Zags fans are eager to see what Perkins has in store, as he’s now tasked with taking over the reigns of a Gonzaga team that many are picking to reach the Final Four, in large part thanks to Player of the Year candidate Kyle Wiltjer.
Perkins averaged five points and 3.4 assists per game as first year, seeing extended time in early season blowouts for Few’s squad. The question now is, can he return to the form of his prep days and distribute the ball to the many weapons he has around him?
As someone who watched Perkins first-hand go from an unknown to a nationally prized recruit, this writer is confident that he has the support around him to bounce back and show why he was once pursued by almost every major program in the country. Perkins’ vision, tenacity, and confidence separate him from other guards, especially in the West Coast Conference, where he’ll have a chance to ride through the eventual hurdles that occur through one’s first full season.
