The last two newcomers for the Gophers men's basketball team arrive this weekend with Isaiah Washington and Matz Stockman.
Washington comes with plenty of national acclaim and fanfare as the New York Mr. Basketball and co-founder of the Jelly Fam movement. But he's more than just a showstopper and flashy finger roll expert. The 6-foot-1 four-star recruit from Harlem could be the best floor leader to enter the program since another former St. Raymond's product Eric Harris, who was part of Minnesota's Final Four run in 1997.
Gophers coach Richard Pitino expects Washington to be an immediate impact freshman playing behind All-Big Ten senior Nate Mason.
"I like the fact that he can come in and learn from Nate," Pitino said recently. "He's a terrific passer, as good as we've brought into this program in a long time."
Stockman, a 7-foot, 240-pound senior center, transfers to the Gophers from Louisville. He will sit out the 2017-18 season and have one year of eligibility remaining. The Norway native played in 45 games as a reserve in three seasons with the Cardinals. Stockman, who will turn 24 during his last college season, will give the Gophers experience at center to compete with talented 2018 recruit Daniel Oturu.
The second member of the 2017 recruiting class, Jamir Harris, has been with the team since late last month. Harris, a 6-2 guard from Patrick School in New Jersey, fills a much needed three-point shooting role for the Gophers after the graduation of senior Akeem Springs.
-- Montana State basketball coach Brian Fish will be at Canterbury Park on Saturday hosting an event for MSU alums. Gophers booster and Creative Charters co-founder Steve Erban is a Montana State graduate and local horseman. On June 29, Canterbury Park will host Gophers fans to have a night horse racing with Minnesota coach Richard Pitino.
