Gonzaga Welcomes Legacy Recruit Carter Nilson to Bulldogs Basketball

The Gonzaga Bulldogs have officially added Carter Nilson, a 6-foot-5 wing player from Gonzaga Prep, to their roster for the 2026-27 season. This news was reported by Andy Patton of Gonzaga Bulldogs on SI. Carter is following in the footsteps of his father, Mike Nilson, a notable former player who was named the West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2000.

Mike Nilson initially joined the Bulldogs as a walk-on in 1996 and went on to have a significant impact on the program. After concluding his playing career, he dedicated 20 years to the Gonzaga Athletic Department, serving as the Director of Performance and Nutrition until his recent retirement in 2025.

Carter played a pivotal role in his high school team’s success, contributing to a WIAA 4A state championship victory in 2024-25 and a runner-up finish the following year. The Bullpups secured the state title by defeating the Glacier Peak Grizzlies 62-50 and faced the Richland Bombers in the next year's championship, ultimately losing 63-49.

With the addition of Carter Nilson, the Bulldogs have now filled 11 of the 15 available roster spots for the upcoming season, including two walk-ons: Carter and redshirt freshman guard Alonzo Metz. Under the guidance of head coach Mark Few, the team looks to build on its strong foundation as they prepare for another competitive year.