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Minnesota Gophers Add Sharpshooting Wing Out of Transfer Portal
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- Minnesota Gophers Add Sharpshooting Wing Out of Transfer Portal
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Things were looking dire for Minnesota Gophers men's basketball at the end of this season. An early exit in the Big Ten tournament lead to an immediate change in leadership, in the form of Minneapolis native, Niko Medved.
Since becoming head coach, Medved has been busy in the transfer portal. He's already landed Colorado State forward Jaylen Crocker-Johnson , who played for him last season. Then, late last week, he nabbed Mankato's own BJ Omot , who played for Cal in 2024-25.
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Gophers nab commitment from Bobby Durkin
Then Monday, after days of rumors, Medved got his latest portal commitment from Davidson transfer forward, Bobby Durkin. The 6'7″ junior to be averaged 13.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game for the Wildcats last season. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
The shooting is what really stands out when it comes to Durkin. He shot 40% from the field last year, including 35% from three, but most of that was due to a poor second half. Through the first 18 games, he shot nearly 45% from deep, on 138 attempts.
In the last 15 games, he shot just 25%. Still, he made 91 threes in total last season, which would've been the most on the Gophers by a wide margin. It was speculated since he entered the portal that Durkin would land at a Big Ten school. A native of Darien, IL, he reportedly took a visit to Ohio State before signing with the Gophers.
Durkin was an Illinois state champion in high school, at Glenbard West, where he set a school record for threes made in a season, with 78. He spent a year at IMG academy, following his senior season, before enrolling at Davidson.
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It's clear that Durkin is at his best when he's making shots. He began last year with six straight double-digit point performances to help his team start 5-1, during which he shot over 50% from the field. He started every regular season game for Davidson in 2024-25, except one.
What's next for Medved, Gophers MBB?
All three of the transfers Medved has landed in the portal so far are lengthy wings who can shoot the ball and defend at a high level. It's obvious what Niko's priorities are during this early transfer portal window. We'll wait and see what he cooks up for the nine scholarship spots remaining on the 2025-26 Minnesota Gophers men's basketball roster.
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Beyond the transfer portal, Medved is also in pursuit of future high school talent . But when it comes to next season's team, the new head coach is focused on the portal. Another top target who is on campus this week is another Colorado State transfer, Kyan Evans , whose impressive sophomore season has him getting all sorts of interest from high-major programs, including the Gophers.
Medved was able to retain freshmen Isaac Asuma and Grayson Grove , but the rest of the roster either graduated or entered the portal. The Gophers likely still need to get a big man and a point guard, as well as a formidable bench to round out the roster.
