Niko Medved Lands Two More Golden Gopher Recommitments

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Isaac Asuma, Minnesota Gophers
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Continuity has not been something the Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball program has experienced much of recently. Since the start of the NIL era, the Gopher men’s basketball program has been turning over its roster every year like a fresh batch of pancakes that are in danger of burning on the bottom if they stay put much longer.

After four years riding the struggle bus, Johnson was fired and nearly immediately replaced by Niko Medved. By the time the dust settled on Johnson’s outgoing transfers, only two Golden Gophers remained in the program — Isaac Asuma and Grayson Grove — both homegrown Minnesotans.

Minnesota Gophers keep local product Isaac Asuma

On Monday, along with Senior to be Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Grove re-committed to the Gophers again, this time for his redshirt sophomore season under Medved. Then on Tuesday, Isaac Asuma followed in his footsteps.

The 6’3″ Cherry, Minnesota native started all 32 games for the Minnesota Gophers this season. A sophomore that played in 32 games for Ben Johnson last year, he stuck with the program and became a reliable member of Medved’s rotation.

Asuma saw his minutes jump from 24.7 per game as a freshman, to 34.5 per game this season. He averaged 11.1 points, and 3.8 assists, but shot just 40% from the field. There’s still room for development, but as a quarterback of the offense, a second year in Medved’s system should do wonders.

With multiple years of eligibility left, Asuma could have jumped at the opportunity to parlay his expanded role into a higher profile potential for production. As he did the year prior, loyalty reigned supreme and he is staying put.

The current core can make one last impression this season in the College Basketball Crown tournament. Winning the eight-field bracket would net Minnesota players $300,000 in NIL funds. A quarterfinal win brings in $50,000 while a semifinal victory comes with a $100,000 prize.

Bobby Durkin running it back with Gophers too

When he was hired last season, Niko Medved needed to do quick work turning over the roster. He brought in transfers and had to scramble with uncertainty regarding the recruiting class. Medved reeled in Davidson sharpshooter Bobby Durkin and envisioned him translating seamlessly to the Big Ten.

With 65 games and 48 starts at the Division I level before step foot in The Barn, Durkin had plenty of experience to lean on. He remained largely the same player for Minnesota, and now will return for his senior season.

During his first season in Dinkytown, Durkin started 24 of the 32 games he played in. His role expanded as the rotation thinned due to injury. He wound up averaging 32.6 minutes and dropped 10.3 points per game. His 44.1% field goal percentage and 39.8% from deep were both career-high marks.

It was because guys like Grove and Durkin stepped up, after injuries sapped Minnesota of most the vast majority its rotation, that Minnesota was able to be competitive in the powerhouse Big Ten this season.

If Medved can retain more of the Gophers’ top talent, add a bit in the portal and develop incoming freshman, suddenly 2026-27 NCAA Tournament dreams don’t seem that far fetched.

Among the rostered players from 2025 that have yet to announce their intentions for 2026-27 include freshman guard Kai Shinholster, junior Chance Stephens, freshman Max Lorenson and forward Nehemiah Turner.

The core being brought back will pair with incoming recruits Nolan Winter (Wayzata – 4 star), Cedric Tomes (East Ridge – 3 star), and Chadrack Mpoyi (Creen Lutheran, CA – 3 star).

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