2 months ago
The Slipper Still Fits sat down with the former leader of the Gonzaga Bulldogs from 1997-99, the man who helped orchestrate the name of this website through that magical 1999 Elite Eight run.
Dan Monson is now the head coach of the Eastern Washington Eagles. The 2026-27 group in nearby Cheney, Washington, plays a stacked non-conference slate on the road at the Stanford Cardinals, Oregon Ducks, Oregon State Beavers, Utah Utes, UNLV Runnin' Rebels, Loyola Marymount Lions, and Wyoming Cowboys. Plus, a neutral-site game with the Washington State Cougars in the Spokane Arena for the 509 Classic on Dec. 22. It feels like Monson was taking a page right out of Gonzaga's playbook to schedule heavily in the first half of the season.
He spoke about his recent trip to Springfield, Massachusetts, for Mark Few's Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction, leaving Spokane, Washington, for the Minnesota Golden Gophers job, the current messy state of the NCAA, and learning from his dad, the late great Don Monson, in the Tri Cities.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X a_cravalho
#gonzaga #oregon #still #fits
Dan Monson is now the head coach of the Eastern Washington Eagles. The 2026-27 group in nearby Cheney, Washington, plays a stacked non-conference slate on the road at the Stanford Cardinals, Oregon Ducks, Oregon State Beavers, Utah Utes, UNLV Runnin' Rebels, Loyola Marymount Lions, and Wyoming Cowboys. Plus, a neutral-site game with the Washington State Cougars in the Spokane Arena for the 509 Classic on Dec. 22. It feels like Monson was taking a page right out of Gonzaga's playbook to schedule heavily in the first half of the season.
He spoke about his recent trip to Springfield, Massachusetts, for Mark Few's Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction, leaving Spokane, Washington, for the Minnesota Golden Gophers job, the current messy state of the NCAA, and learning from his dad, the late great Don Monson, in the Tri Cities.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X a_cravalho
#gonzaga #oregon #still #fits
2 months ago
The 6-7, 215-pound wing, Iowa Hawkeyes wing Tavion Banks, received an extra year of college eligibility through the state of Colorado's injunction against the NCAA. After the eligibility ruling, Banks told 247 Sports that the Gonzaga Bulldogs, LSU Tigers, Mississippi State Bulldogs, and Oklahoma Sooners are his four choices for his last college basketball campaign. A return to Iowa City, Iowa, is not being considered.
Banks averaged 10.2 points on 52.0 field goal percentage/44.2 three-point percentage/79.2 free throw percentage, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 37 games played, including 35 starts, for Iowa this past season.
Before joining the Hawkeyes, the Kansas City, Missouri, native began his career on the junior college level at Northwest Florida State College for his first two seasons. Banks then transferred to the Drake Bulldogs under coach Ben McCollum in 2024-25 and followed him to Iowa in 2025-26.
Gonzaga has one of their 15 roster spots available at the moment, but is also awaiting the NCAA to grant approval of 6-3 point guard Nathan De Sousa from France's Cholet Basket and 6-10 power forward/center Izan Almansa from Spain's Real Madrid.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X a_cravalho
#ncaa
Banks averaged 10.2 points on 52.0 field goal percentage/44.2 three-point percentage/79.2 free throw percentage, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 37 games played, including 35 starts, for Iowa this past season.
Before joining the Hawkeyes, the Kansas City, Missouri, native began his career on the junior college level at Northwest Florida State College for his first two seasons. Banks then transferred to the Drake Bulldogs under coach Ben McCollum in 2024-25 and followed him to Iowa in 2025-26.
Gonzaga has one of their 15 roster spots available at the moment, but is also awaiting the NCAA to grant approval of 6-3 point guard Nathan De Sousa from France's Cholet Basket and 6-10 power forward/center Izan Almansa from Spain's Real Madrid.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X a_cravalho
#ncaa
3 months ago
Back-to-back opportunities for The Slipper Still Fits to talk with some legendary point guards who have come through the Gonzaga Bulldogs program. Nigel Williams-Goss was the leader of the 2016-17 group that made its first school appearance in the national championship game.
Williams-Goss, currently playing with Zalgiris Kaunas in Kaunas, Lithuania, discussed the similarities found between college basketball and the EuroLeague, the reasoning behind transferring away from the Washington Huskies, giving back to the Inland Northwest community, and much more.
He will be hosting two youth basketball camps on August 2nd at the Spokane Club in Spokane, Washington, and August 3rd through 5th at the Hub Sports Center in Liberty Lake, Washington.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X a_cravalho
#williams #cravalho
Williams-Goss, currently playing with Zalgiris Kaunas in Kaunas, Lithuania, discussed the similarities found between college basketball and the EuroLeague, the reasoning behind transferring away from the Washington Huskies, giving back to the Inland Northwest community, and much more.
He will be hosting two youth basketball camps on August 2nd at the Spokane Club in Spokane, Washington, and August 3rd through 5th at the Hub Sports Center in Liberty Lake, Washington.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X a_cravalho
#williams #cravalho
3 months ago
Some stars spend years working their way up, while others become unforgettable almost overnight. These 13 performers made an immediate impact with major debut roles that launched them straight into the spotlight. From pop icons to acclaimed actresses, they proved that one breakout performance can change an entire career.
TRF/ MEGA
Maisie Williams stunned audiences with her debut as Arya Stark, a character who quickly captured hearts and established her as a fan favorite. She landed the part at just 12 years old after beating out roughly 300 other girls who tried out for the role, as reported by Deadline. Her fearless performance made her an instant sensation and left a lasting legacy in the fantasy genre, proving she belonged on the biggest stage from the start.
Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / MEGA
Auli'i Cravalho shot to fame the moment she voiced the iconic Moana for Disney, soaring on her vocal talent and effortless charm. The then-unknown Hawaii high schooler was plucked for the role after Disney discovered a tape of her performing at a local charity showcase, according to Time.
#performance
TRF/ MEGA
Maisie Williams stunned audiences with her debut as Arya Stark, a character who quickly captured hearts and established her as a fan favorite. She landed the part at just 12 years old after beating out roughly 300 other girls who tried out for the role, as reported by Deadline. Her fearless performance made her an instant sensation and left a lasting legacy in the fantasy genre, proving she belonged on the biggest stage from the start.
Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / MEGA
Auli'i Cravalho shot to fame the moment she voiced the iconic Moana for Disney, soaring on her vocal talent and effortless charm. The then-unknown Hawaii high schooler was plucked for the role after Disney discovered a tape of her performing at a local charity showcase, according to Time.
#performance
3 months ago
Gonzaga Bulldogs coach Mark Few will be one of the three ******* istants on Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra’s Team USA staff ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, per a report for ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The other two are Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault and Detroit Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff. Spoelstra and Few won the gold medal as ******* istants together under Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
The first step to qualifying for the upcoming Olympics comes at the 2027 FIBA World Cup. Few will head off to Doha, Qatar, from August 27 to September 12, 2027.
This could also potentially mean that the member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026 is locked in for at least the next two seasons as the leader of the Zags.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X a_cravalho
The other two are Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault and Detroit Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff. Spoelstra and Few won the gold medal as ******* istants together under Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
The first step to qualifying for the upcoming Olympics comes at the 2027 FIBA World Cup. Few will head off to Doha, Qatar, from August 27 to September 12, 2027.
This could also potentially mean that the member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026 is locked in for at least the next two seasons as the leader of the Zags.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X a_cravalho
3 months ago
Congratulations to the two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year, redshirt senior third baseman Mikey Bell, who was picked by the San Francisco Giants with the No. 568 pick in the 19th round of the 2026 MLB Draft.
The former Gonzaga Bulldog previously announced that he's transferring to the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC. As long as he doesn't sign the contract with San Francisco, Bell can play his final season of college eligibility.
The 6-2, 200-pound slugger hit .369 with 24 doubles, 20 home runs, 92 runs batted in, and 51 walks during his time in Spokane, Washington. Bell finished with a .448 on-base percentage, .610 slugging percentage, and 1.057 on-base plus slugging percentage across 107 games.
The Fresno, California, native started his college career on the junior college level at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, California. The Slipper Still Fits spoke with the 22-year-old before the start of the 2026 season, and what a treat it was.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X a_cravalho
The former Gonzaga Bulldog previously announced that he's transferring to the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC. As long as he doesn't sign the contract with San Francisco, Bell can play his final season of college eligibility.
The 6-2, 200-pound slugger hit .369 with 24 doubles, 20 home runs, 92 runs batted in, and 51 walks during his time in Spokane, Washington. Bell finished with a .448 on-base percentage, .610 slugging percentage, and 1.057 on-base plus slugging percentage across 107 games.
The Fresno, California, native started his college career on the junior college level at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, California. The Slipper Still Fits spoke with the 22-year-old before the start of the 2026 season, and what a treat it was.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X a_cravalho
3 months ago
According to the New York Post's Brian Lewis, the Brooklyn Nets have cut guard Malachi Smith from the team. The former Gonzaga Bulldog signed a two-year, non-guaranteed deal back in April after two 10-day contracts with the organization. Brooklyn exercised Smith's minimum salary team option in June.
In 15 games (four starts) played with the Nets to close out this past season, Smith averaged 8.3 points on a shooting split of 48.5 percent from the field/43.5 percent on three-pointers/100.0 percent at the free throw line, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 ****** ists per game.
The 26-year-old will most likely have to return to the NBA G League with another franchise. He's had stops with the Portland Trail Blazers' Rip City Remix, Milwaukee Bucks' Wisconsin Herd, Memphis Grizzlies' Memphis Hustle, and the Brooklyn Nets' Long Island Nets over the last three seasons.
Smith started his collegiate career with the Wright State Raiders from 2018-19, transferred to the Chattanooga Mocs from 2020-22, before making his way to Spokane, Washington. He was named the West Coast Conference Sixth Man of the Year in 2023 before entering his name into the 2023 NBA Draft, bypassing his final season of college eligibility. Smith would go undrafted.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X a_cravalho
In 15 games (four starts) played with the Nets to close out this past season, Smith averaged 8.3 points on a shooting split of 48.5 percent from the field/43.5 percent on three-pointers/100.0 percent at the free throw line, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 ****** ists per game.
The 26-year-old will most likely have to return to the NBA G League with another franchise. He's had stops with the Portland Trail Blazers' Rip City Remix, Milwaukee Bucks' Wisconsin Herd, Memphis Grizzlies' Memphis Hustle, and the Brooklyn Nets' Long Island Nets over the last three seasons.
Smith started his collegiate career with the Wright State Raiders from 2018-19, transferred to the Chattanooga Mocs from 2020-22, before making his way to Spokane, Washington. He was named the West Coast Conference Sixth Man of the Year in 2023 before entering his name into the 2023 NBA Draft, bypassing his final season of college eligibility. Smith would go undrafted.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X a_cravalho
4 months ago
Catherine Laga'aia, Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson brought a touch of the Pacific to the launch of the Moana Experience at Potters Fields Park in London on Tuesday, celebrating Disney's latest immersive attraction against the backdrop of Tower Bridge.
As the new face of Moana, Catherine Laga'aia continues to find the sweet spot between honouring the film and expressing her own style.
Wearing a LoveShackFancy Vessia embroidered top with the coordinating Celesa embroidered mesh tiered maxi skirt, she looked as though she had stepped straight from a tropical island. The airy layers, delicate embroidery and soft ivory palette captured the spirit of Moana in a way that felt authentic rather than thematic.
Around her neck, Catherine wore a floral lei, a traditional Polynesian garland presented as a gesture of welcome, affection and celebration. More than simply a colourful accessory, it reinforced the cultural heritage at the heart of the film and made the moment feel even more meaningful.
Styled by Alexandra Mandelkorn.
As the new face of Moana, Catherine Laga'aia continues to find the sweet spot between honouring the film and expressing her own style.
Wearing a LoveShackFancy Vessia embroidered top with the coordinating Celesa embroidered mesh tiered maxi skirt, she looked as though she had stepped straight from a tropical island. The airy layers, delicate embroidery and soft ivory palette captured the spirit of Moana in a way that felt authentic rather than thematic.
Around her neck, Catherine wore a floral lei, a traditional Polynesian garland presented as a gesture of welcome, affection and celebration. More than simply a colourful accessory, it reinforced the cultural heritage at the heart of the film and made the moment feel even more meaningful.
Styled by Alexandra Mandelkorn.
