Gophers Reel Former Medved Star Out of UNC
The Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball team has come out of the 2026 transfer portal gates rather slow. Of course, that’s been a theme across the country, as players and agents hold out for top dollar, while schools wait for portal prices to drop.
But in recent days, Niko Medved has filled nearly all five of the spots he had available coming into transfer season. On Wednesday, the Golden Gophers reeled in 2025 Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year, Orono’s Nolan Groves (Texas Tech).
One day later, they filled another slot with Michigan transfer big man Malick Kordel, out of Germany, before adding his Wolverines teammate Winters Grady (from California) the next day.
Minnesota Gophers land UNC transfer, Kyan Evans
Then on Saturday, the Minnesota Gophers landed arguably their biggest transfer commitment of this portal period, North Carolina junior Kyan Evans — a ball-handling guard who played his first two collegiate seasons under Medved at Colorado State, before he transferred to UNC last year.
North Carolina transfer guard Kyan Evans has committed to Minnesota, he announced.
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) April 18, 2026
The 6-2 junior reunites with his former coach Niko Medved.https://t.co/P2CLLLO2iq pic.twitter.com/JqoOuP5aGK
NIL Update: Gopher Basketball Catching Up Fast in NIL Race
Last season in Chapel Hill, Kyan played in 33 games, but started only 17, averaging 4 points, 2.5 assists and 1.7 rebounds on 17.7 minutes per game. Evans had interest in following Medved to Minnesota last offseason, but ultimately took a lot more money to play at North Carolina.
I’m sure the money was worth it but, by season’s end, Evans had pretty much dropped out of the UNC rotation. In the Tar Heels’ final four games, Evans played a grand total of 28 minutes (7 MPG).
Evans looking to star under Niko Medved again
That’s why nobody was surprised when the Minnesota Gophers quickly rose to the top of Kyan Evans’ list of portal options. The last time he and Medved were together, his sophomore season at Colorado State, Evans averaged 10.6 points, 3.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game (28.2 MPG).
North Carolina picked up Colorado State guard Kyan Evans ‼️‼️
— Jay (@Jayy_Hardyy252) April 10, 2025
Averaged: 10.6 PPG 2.9 RPG 3.1 APG
Splits: 45% 3PT 85% FT 47 % FG in Mountain West. pic.twitter.com/MpDkKNKwPD
Read Next: Get to Know More About New Gopher, Kyan Evans
However, sealing the deal for the senior guard was not easy. The Minnesota Gophers contacted Kyan as soon as he hit the portal, and he visited just a few days later, but left without committing.
Then, he visited Iowa, which got fans extremely nervous. Thankfully, in the end, Medved got the reunion he was started courting since last week. Now, the Gophers have just one spot remaining.
What we don’t know is how much money they have left for that position. If they’re now NIL broke, then that 15th slot on the roster may be filled by a walk-on.
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