Braden Huff Hits Career Milestone as Caden Pierce Watches From the Sidelines

Table of Contents

Braden Huff, a standout forward for Gonzaga, achieved a significant milestone in his collegiate basketball career on Friday. With 15 points in the game against Seattle U, he crossed the 1,000-point threshold for his career. This accomplishment marks him as the fifth player on the roster to reach this mark, joining notable players like Graham Ike, Tyon Grant-Foster, Adam Miller, and Steele Venters.

Huff's performance was nothing short of impressive. He started the game strong, scoring the Zags' first nine points and going 4-of-4 from the field within the first five minutes of regulation. His early dominance helped Gonzaga take an early lead at the first media timeout. However, the Redhawks quickly responded, launching a 14-point run over a two-minute span that shifted the momentum in their favor. By halftime, Seattle U held a 37-29 lead, becoming just the second team in the 2025-26 season to have an advantage over the Zags at the half.

Huff reached the 1,000-point milestone with a powerful two-handed dunk early in the second half, showcasing his continued growth and impact on the court. This achievement is a testament to his hard work and dedication, especially considering the challenges he faced during his redshirt season in 2023.

Caden Pierce, who was on an official visit with Gonzaga, witnessed Huff's milestone firsthand. Pierce, a former teammate of Huff at Glenbard West High School, decided to redshirt the 2025-26 season and will use his final year of eligibility in 2026-27. Prior to this decision, Pierce had taken visits with Purdue, UConn, and Duke, and is expected to visit Louisville as well.

Pierce, the 2023-24 Ivy League Player of the Year, played a crucial role in leading Glenbard West to a 37-1 record and a win in the Class 4A IHSA State championship game in 2021-22. After high school, he committed to Princeton as an unranked prospect in the 2022 class. His journey at Princeton was marked by rapid improvement, as he became an integral part of the Tigers' team that advanced to the Sweet 16 round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

As a freshman, Pierce started in 31 of the 32 games he played, averaging 8.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He earned the Ivy League Rookie of the Year award. His sophomore season saw even greater success, as he became Princeton's second-leading scorer with 16.6 points per game. He also averaged 9.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per contest.

In the 2024-25 campaign, Pierce put up 11.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game in 29 appearances. His consistent performance has solidified his status as one of the top players in the Ivy League.

Huff entered the 2025-26 season as Gonzaga's leading scorer, averaging 18.1 points per game. He came off a 14-point outing against San Diego in a 99-93 victory for the Zags. His performance in nonconference play was exceptional, totaling 57 points on 73.5% shooting from the field during wins over Campbell and Oregon. These efforts earned him WCC Player of the Week honors.

Huff's historic performance against the Camels included a career-high 37 points, making his first 12 shots from the field. Only one other Division I player in the last eight seasons has made 12 shots in a half without a miss, according to ESPN. Additionally, his 16 made field goals in that game were the most in McCarthey Athletic Center history.

Huff's journey to 1,000 career points began in 2023 after a transformative redshirt season. During that time, he was the understudy to Drew Timme, the program's all-time leading scorer. Competing against one of the most dominant post scorers in college basketball, Huff gained valuable experience that paid dividends for both himself and the Zags.

After earning All-WCC Freshman honors in 2023-24 while coming off the bench, Huff eventually earned a starting role next to Graham Ike, forming a dynamic frontcourt tandem for Gonzaga. This partnership has been a key factor in the team's offensive success.