Gonzaga basketball team returns to Spokane

Less than 24 hours after a heartbreaking loss to Baylor University in the final game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, the Gonzaga Bulldogs boarded a plane in Indianapolis, where they had been holed up for three weeks, thanks to COVID restrictions.

Section:Gallery

Tue., April 6, 2021

With a small crowd of supporters gathered at McCarthey Athletic Center, the Gonzaga Bulldogs are welcomed home from Indianapolis, Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Revi
After arriving home with the team from Indianapolis, Gonzaga forward Corey Kispert heads to his car, Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Revi
At McCarthey Athletic Center, Corey Kispert waves to a small crowd gathered to welcome home the Gonzaga University Bulldogs basketball team, Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review
After arriving home with the team from Indianapolis, Gonzaga forward Corey Kispert signs an autograph for Mike Bravo Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Revi
After arriving home with from Indianapolis, Gonzaga forward Anton Watson signs an autograph Tuesday on the back of Debbie Bieker’s T-shirt outside McCarthey Athletic Center.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Revi
After arriving home with the team from Indianapolis, Gonzaga Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs signs an autograph on Liam Lennox’s ball cap, Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Revi
Weary members of the Gonzaga Bulldogs men’s basketball team exit their charter jet after landing at Spokane International Airport in Spokane Tuesday, April 6, 2021. The Bulldog’s came up short in the NCAA championship game last night in Indianapolis, but were greeeted warmly by fans in Spokane.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs bumps knuckles with bus driver Herb Helstrom after landing at Spokane International Airport in Spokane Tuesday, April 6, 2021. The Bulldog’s came up short in the NCAA championship game last night in Indianapolis, but were greeeted warmly by fans in Spokane.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
A charter jet carrying the Gonzaga Bulldogs men’s team is greeted by a water arch formed by two Spokane International Airport fire trucks after landing at Spokane International Airport in Spokane Tuesday, April 6, 2021. The Bulldog’s came up short in the NCAA championship game last night in Indianapolis.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
A jet carrying the Gonzaga men’s basketball team is greeted by a water arch formed by two Spokane International Airport fire trucks after landing at the airport Tuesday

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
A charter jet carrying the Gonzaga Bulldogs men’s basketball team is greeted by signs on the side of equipment at Spokane International Airport in Spokane Tuesday, April 6, 2021. The Bulldogs lost in the NCAA championship game last night in Indianapolis but were greeted warmly back in Spokane.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
A charter jet carrying the Gonzaga Bulldogs men’s basketball team is greeted by a water arch formed by two Spokane International Airport fire trucks after landing at Spokane International Airport in Spokane Tuesday, April 6, 2021. The Bulldogs lost in the NCAA championship game last night in Indianapolis but were greeted warmly back in Spokane.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Weary members of the Gonzaga Bulldogs men’s basketball team exit their charter jet after landing at Spokane International Airport in Spokane Tuesday, April 6, 2021. The Bulldog’s came up short in the NCAA championship game last night in Indianapolis, but were greeeted warmly by fans in Spokane.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review