Gonzaga has found itself in a familiar position heading into the 2026–27 season: searching for the right player to take control of the point guard position and help keep the Bulldogs among the nation’s elite. This time, the answer could come in the form of fifth-year transfer Xaivian Lee.
Lee brings something valuable to Gonzaga that goes beyond his statistics. He has already experienced the pressure of leading a successful college program, playing in the Ivy League, competing in the SEC, dealing with the expectations of a major program, and pursuing an opportunity at the professional level.
Now, he gets another opportunity to make his mark — this time in Mark Few’s system at Gonzaga.
A Career That Started at Princeton
Lee began his college career at Princeton, where he developed into one of the Ivy League’s most complete guards. During his three seasons with the Tigers, Lee became much more than a scorer. As a junior, he averaged 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game, showing his ability to impact a game in multiple ways.
His Princeton career also included consecutive consensus All-Ivy League first-team selections. He became the first player in program history to record a triple-double, an accomplishment that reflected the all-around nature of his game.
Lee helped Princeton reach the NCAA Tournament, gaining valuable experience playing meaningful basketball when the pressure was at its highest. That experience matters.
A point guard isn’t simply responsible for bringing the ball up the court. He has to understand tempo, recognize defensive coverages, get teammates involved and know when the moment calls for him to take over. Lee had an opportunity to develop those qualities at Princeton.
The Florida Chapter
Lee transferred to Florida for the 2025–26 season, stepping into a much different environment.
The SEC presents a different level of athleticism, physicality and depth compared with the Ivy League. Lee’s offensive numbers dropped during his lone season with the Gators, as he averaged 11.6 points, 4.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game.
But looking only at the scoring average doesn’t tell the entire story.
Lee became an important contributor for a Florida team that won the SEC regular-season championship. His ability to defend, distribute and make plays gave the Gators another experienced guard who could handle difficult assignments. The transition also demonstrated that Lee could adjust his game.
At Princeton, he was one of the primary offensive engines. At Florida, he had to learn how to contribute within a deeper and more talented roster. That could be extremely important at Gonzaga.
Why Gonzaga Makes Sense
Gonzaga doesn’t necessarily need Lee to walk through the door and recreate what he did at Princeton. The Bulldogs need him to be the best version of himself within Mark Few’s system.
That’s where the fit becomes intriguing.
Few has consistently built Gonzaga teams around smart guards who can make decisions with the basketball, play at different speeds and create opportunities for teammates.
Lee’s experience as a primary ballhandler gives Gonzaga another player capable of running the offense and taking pressure off the rest of the roster. He also brings maturity.
This won’t be a freshman trying to figure out college basketball for the first time. Lee has already played three seasons at Princeton, one at Florida and then spent the summer competing against professional-caliber talent in the NBA Summer League. He has seen different styles of basketball and experienced different expectations.
Lee’s Passing Could Be a Major Asset
One of the biggest reasons Lee fits Gonzaga is his ability to create for other players. His 5.5 assists per game during his junior season at Princeton showed that he wasn’t simply looking to score. At Gonzaga, that passing ability could become even more valuable.
The Bulldogs traditionally want their offense to move. They want players cutting, screening, sharing the basketball and making the extra pass. A point guard who can read the floor and deliver the ball at the right time can make an entire offense better.
Lee doesn’t have to force the action every possession. His job can be to control the game, get Gonzaga into its sets, identify mismatches and make the right decision.
That’s what Gonzaga needs from its lead guard.
Defense Gives Him Another Way to Impact Games
Lee’s offensive production at Florida wasn’t at the level it was during his Princeton career, but his defensive contributions helped keep him on the floor.
That could be especially important for Gonzaga. When a team is competing for conference championships and making deep NCAA Tournament runs, having guards who can defend on the other end becomes critical.
Lee has already shown that he can adjust his responsibilities. If his shot isn’t falling, he can still contribute through defense, rebounding, ball movement and playmaking. That’s the kind of versatility coaches value in experienced guards.
From NBA Dream to Gonzaga Opportunity
Lee also enters Gonzaga after getting a taste of professional basketball. He went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft before playing five Summer League games with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He averaged 6.4 points and 2.4 assists during that opportunity. While those numbers weren’t eye-popping, the experience itself could prove valuable.
Lee was competing against players trying to establish themselves professionally. He had to adjust to a faster, more physical environment and learn what areas of his game needed additional development.
Now he returns to college with another opportunity to showcase those improvements. The motivation should be obvious. A strong season at Gonzaga could put Lee back on the radar of professional scouts.
A Fifth Season With Something to Prove
Lee’s opportunity to play a fifth college season comes through eligibility resulting from a California court injunction involving NCAA eligibility rules for athletes from the Class of 2022.
That extra season could be extremely important for both Lee and Gonzaga. For Lee, it’s another chance to demonstrate that his game belongs at the professional level.
For Gonzaga, it’s an opportunity to add an experienced starting point guard without asking him to spend an entire season learning the basics of college basketball.
That’s a significant advantage.
What Lee Could Bring to Mark Few
The most exciting possibility is that Lee doesn’t have to carry Gonzaga by himself.
He can be the connector. He can push the ball when Gonzaga has an advantage, slow things down when necessary, find shooters, attack the basket and make plays when the offense breaks down.
And because he’s already played in different systems, he should understand that being a successful point guard isn’t always about how many points you score.
Sometimes it’s about controlling the game.
Sometimes it’s about getting the right teammate involved.
Sometimes it’s about making the defensive play that changes momentum.
And sometimes it’s about recognizing that the best play is the simple one.
The Gonzaga Opportunity
Gonzaga has established a standard under Mark Few that makes every season important. The Bulldogs expect to compete for championships and make noise nationally.
Lee now steps into a program where those expectations are already built into the culture.
That could make this one of the most interesting stops of his college career. At Princeton, he proved he could be a star.
At Florida, he proved he could adapt his game and contribute to a championship-level team. At Gonzaga, the challenge will be putting everything together.
Scoring. Passing. Defense. Leadership. Experience.
If Lee can combine those elements, Gonzaga may have found more than just a starting point guard. It may have found the veteran floor leader capable of helping guide the Bulldogs through the 2026–27 season. For Xaivian Lee, this is another chapter.
For Gonzaga, it could be the answer at a position that can determine how far a team goes. And with Mark Few running the program, Lee should have an excellent opportunity to show exactly what he can do with the ball in his hands.
