per Shama:
New University of Minnesota basketball coach
Ben Johnson has commitments from three transfers so far but interestingly none play the power forward position occupied last season by
Brandon Johnson. It’s possible that spot could be filled next season by a state native, with Minnesotans
Chet Holmgren,
Race Thompson,
Nate Reuvers and
Dawson Garcia attracting speculation.
College basketball is a fluid landscape like never before with players and coaches frequently changing addresses. It’s evident Holmgren and his father
David Holmgren didn’t want to make a commitment last fall during the signing period for high school players. They decided to see who is coming and going this spring, but soon the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the class of 2021 will have to choose either a college or an opportunity in the NBA’s development league following Chet’s superlative career at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis. (It’s interesting that ongoing internet articles have Chet choosing Gonzaga but offer no definitive sources.)
Ben Johnson is trying to make Chet a Gopher, a task perhaps made easier with his dad being a U alum. Chet is a gifted two-way player who Johnson could offer to build his offense and defense around. At 7-feet, but only about 200 pounds, Holmgren needs physical support from a big center. If center
Liam Robbins remains with the Gophers he could be a bargaining chip for Johnson in the recruitment of Holmgren, but Robbins entered the transfer portal as of yesterday.
Go Gophers!!
