Gopher Hoops Get Big Time Commitment from Trey Edmonds

Ben Johnson has been scouring the transfer portal and recruiting path after the Gophers men’s basketball program has been stung by losses of late. On Monday afternoon they gained in a big way when landing a commitment from Trey Edmonds.

The Minnesota Gophers entered last season with projections having them finishing well out of the Big Ten race. However, the nucleus of something to dream on was there, and the hope was that Ben Johnson’s program could compete at the top of the conference as early as 2024. After losing 60 percent of their starting lineup, that seemed to be a longshot. Then they got a big time commitment from Trey Edmonds.

Leaving the University of Texas-San Antonio, Trey Edmonds was among the big names left in the transfer portal. A Colorado native, the 6-foot-10 junior brings a 7.0 point per game average to Minnesota. He was considering schools such as Ole Miss and Cincinnati as well, but immediately will jump into the Gophers starting lineup.

NEWS: UTSA transfer forward Trey Edmonds has committed to Minnesota, his agents at NEXT Sports tell @On3sports.https://t.co/h2FrVpCwfc pic.twitter.com/occsVTdStu

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) May 6, 2024

Trey Edmonds is a Win for Minnesota

The Gophers have watched multiple players leave the program this offseason. Most recently it was Cam Christie, who was looking into the NBA Draft but ultimately decided the transfer portal would land him a better opportunity. Johnson has also lost Pharrel Payne and Elijah Hawkins despite previous comments that he would return.

Trey Edmonds is a much-needed commitment for the Gophers. He represents a high-quality player that could immediately make an impact in a much better conference, and he’ll have an opportunity to play with a few Gophers that decided to return for another year. He also has familiarity with The Barn having played against the Gophers last season in the Roadrunners second game.

Related: Cam Christie is Not Returning to Minnesota; Gophers’ Dreadful NIL Budget Revealed

Despite playing just 19 minutes, he put up 12 points and was 5-of-11 from the field.

Edmonds Joins Others in Minnesota

With Johnson having lost so much of his roster from a season ago, the transfer portal has been an avenue for him to replace players as well. Before Trey Edmonds committed to Minnesota on Monday, it was Macalaster’s Caleb Williams and New Mexico State’s Femi Odukale that joined the Gophers squad.

Related: Minnesota Gophers Grab Two Backcourt Transfer Portal Commitments

Seniors Mike Mitchell and Dawson Garcia both are returning for their final year, but if Minnesota is going to reach the heights they were once projected for within the conference, then they will need an immediate amount of chemistry to form from their group of transfers. Edmonds is certainly the best talent Johnson has landed, and he’ll be expected to lead that group.

Edmonds and Frank Mitchell Can Stand Out

The transfer portal has ushered in a new wave of college athletics. Finding the right fit and best opportunity is something that every talent is looking for. With Trey Edmonds, Minnesota is his third school since leaving the prep scene, and on the biggest stage, he’ll look to make the largest impact at Minnesota.

With Edmonds in the fold, there is someone else to compete with 6-foot-8 forward Frank Mitchell for the title of best transfer. The Canisius product is a rebounding machine, and he is more than capable of putting up double-double production. If there is another standout to note, it would be former Oregon guard Brennan Rigbsy.

This is how collegiate athletics work now, and the transfer portal has presented a new wrinkle for coaching staffs across the country. Landing a big time commitment from Trey Edmonds helps Minnesota to soften the blow of their departures, but they’ll need to show poise if they want to be among the best in the Big Ten.