Steele Venters Opts Out of Gonzaga, Joins Transfer Portal
The names entering the transfer portal from Gonzaga are coming in bunches now.
Jan 2, 2026; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Steele Venters (2) controls the ball against the Seattle U Redhawks in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images | James Snook-Imagn Images One more non-surprising decision as the fourth Gonzaga Bulldog puts his name in the transfer portal, the third in the last two days. Graduate wing Steele Venters joins junior wing Emmanuel Innocenti, redshirt junior guard Braeden Smith, and redshirt freshman guard Cade Orness in the search for another college basketball program to call home.
Venters will have another season of eligibility pending the status of his application for a waiver to the NCAA. The 2023 Big Sky Conference Player of the Year with the Eastern Washington Eagles battled multiple scary health setbacks during his time in Spokane, Washington. He had two season-ending injuries during the offseason leading up to the 2023-24 (torn ACL) and 2024-25 (left Achilles tendon) seasons.
One has to wonder how much more effective Venter’s time in the Lilac City would’ve been had it not been for all the unfortunate traumas. In 2025-26, the 6-7 native of Ellensburg, Washington, averaged 5. 0 points on a shooting split of 38.
6 field goal percentage/36. 7 three-point percentage/83. 3 free throw percentage in 15.