JUST IN: Gophers coach Ben Johnson announces major signing

The roster for the Gophers men’s basketball team has completely changed following the transfer portal exodus. With a lot of voids to fill, head coach Ben Johnson identified several important transfers who might step into major positions come summertime.
A month ago, Ben Johnson, the men’s basketball coach at the University of Minnesota, expressed optimism that the majority of his 19-win NIT team from the previous season would return.

The Gophers ended up having seven players in the transfer portal after it closed on May 1st, including four of their top six scorers. The mass departure was comparable to the time when Johnson assumed leadership of the programme in 2021.

Cam Christie (NBA draft, transfer portal), Pharrel Payne (Texas A&M), Elijah Hawkins (Texas Tech), Braeden Carrington (Tulsa), and Joshua Ola-Joseph (California Berkeley) were among the notable players who left this year.

Rather than wallow in self-pity, Johnson and his staff set about rebuilding the club around star players Dawson Garcia and Mike Mitchell Jr., who refused to give up on the chance to play for better NILs.

In what way did the Gophers assemble over half of their new roster in spring training? Below is the team breakdown for 2024–25 following additions from the portal and new hires. Early June marks the start of summer practice.

players making a comeback
Mike Mitchell (San Jose, Calif.), a 6-2 senior

partnered with Big Ten assist leader Hawkins to start the previous 23 games. Mitchell hit a team-best 39.9% from three-point range with 77 threes, averaging 10.2 points and 2.6 assists.

Senior Dawson Garcia, 6-11 (Savage)

led the Gophers in rebounding (6.7) and scoring (17.6) in consecutive seasons. achieved career highs in blocks (1.0), minutes (31.9), field goal percentage (48.6), free throw percentage (80.2), and blocks (1.0) to be named All-Big Ten.

Parker Fox, senior, grades 6–8 (Mahtomedi)

Fox finished as a sixth man and tied for second place in team history with 68.3% of field goals last season, following back-to-back seasons lost due to injuries. is returning for a seventh season.

6’9″ sophomore Kadyn Betts from Colorado Springs, Colorado

During eight games last season, the former four-star recruit averaged 7.1 minutes per game. was the scout team’s top performer in practice, every time.

Arriving transfers
Trey Edmonds, a senior from Texas San Antonio, ages 6-10

The Denver native, who weighs 255 pounds, can play both frontcourt positions, but his bulk helps compensate for Payne’s physical presence. In UTSA’s defeat over the Gophers, Edmonds scored twelve points.

Frank Mitchell, Canisius senior, grades 6–8

At 240 pounds, the Toronto native is yet another physical force. Finished fourth in the country last season with 11.4 rebounds per game. Has 12 games with 14 or more rebounds, including two where he pulled down more than 20 boards.

Femi Odukale, New Mexico State senior, 6-6

Every Conference in the United States Wing with 10.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks a game on average the previous campaign. played at Seton Hall and Pittsburgh for his first three seasons.

6-2 senior Lu’Cye Patterson (Charlotte)

82 career starts for the former star of Minnesota Prep Academy. 2.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 14.6 points per game on average to win All-American Athletic Conference recognition the previous campaign.

Senior Brennan Rigsby, 6-3, from Oregon

shot 35% from three-point range while averaging 6.1 points and 2.7 rebounds while playing for the Ducks. played in 13 games as a starter last season, scoring a season-high 19 points in a victory over Michigan on December 2.

Senior Caleb Williams, 6-2 (Macalester)

A former local standout in Division III scored 41 points against the Gophers in an exhibition game in November of last year. has played in 80 games (all starts) and averaged 19.6 points.

Class in high school
6-2 freshman Isaac Asuma (Minn., Cherry)

Top 10 point guard in the 2024 class and a four-star prospect, per 247Sports. Cherry’s first state boys basketball championship was won by the Mr. Basketball finalist.

Grayson Grove, a freshman in grades 6–9 in Alexandria, Minn.

Alexandria placed fourth and went on to win the Class 3A state all-tournament team title. had 15 rebounds and 26 points in a Williams Arena quarterfinal match.

Draft pick/portal for the NBA Cam Christie, a 6′ 6″ sophomore from Arlington Heights, Ill.

First Gophers rookie to be named All-Big Ten since 2017. 2.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 11.3 points, and 39.1% three-point shooting were all averaged. concentrating on the NBA draft, although he may go back to the U or another college.

Woodbury, Minnesota: Walk-on Erick Reader, 6-8 sophomore

Last season, the former standout from New Life Academy participated in two games.