Mark Few is set to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2026. The Gonzaga coach has confessed to breaking NCAA rules during the 2021 tournament bubble in Indianapolis.
Pickleball Court Antics in the Bubble
Few admitted that Gonzaga created a pickleball court in their team room, located next to Baylor’s in the Convention Center, during the 2021 NCAA tournament. This was against the rules in place to avoid contact during the pandemic. The court was dubbed the Speakeasy tournament. According to Few, access was restricted, and refreshments were available after games.
Gonzaga and Baylor, despite their pickleball camaraderie, ended up facing each other in the national championship game. Few mentioned that he and Scott Drew, Baylor’s coach, formed an undefeated pickleball doubles team, stating that they “stacked” their team.
Hall of Fame Validation
Few acknowledges the Hall of Fame selection validates Gonzaga’s story. He noted his journey from Creswell, Oregon, a town of 1,500, to the Hall of Fame announcement. Few stated it “isn’t like a dream come true because it just seemed so not even possible.”
Few has the highest winning percentage among active coaches. He has guided Gonzaga to 26 consecutive NCAA tournaments and two national championship games. Few transformed Gonzaga from a little-known mid-major in Spokane, Washington, into a national basketball powerhouse.
Proud Mentor Watching Lloyd’s Success
Few is also in town to support his former assistant, Tommy Lloyd, whose Arizona team reached the Final Four. Lloyd was Few’s assistant for over 20 years. Few expressed pride in his former assistant’s achievement.
“I think I probably underestimated the feeling,” Few said regarding Lloyd’s success. “But once I saw the game that got him here is when it really hit. You have to remember it’s a culmination of everything.”