I played HS basketball within 45 minutes of four WCC schools. I played on AAU teams with numerous division one athletes. A WCC offer was an after-thought. A consolation prize. HS basketball probably got more coverage in the local media than the WCC teams did.
I'm not taking away anything from Gonzaga. They are a great program. But even they get out recruited by bottom feeder P12 teams and several MWC teams.