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Gophers basketball coach Ben Johnson wasn't finished adding to his backcourt this spring with a commitment from junior college guard Abdoulaye Thiam on Friday.
The 6-foot-3, 180-pound freshman averaged 15 points and shot 48 percent from three-point range last season at Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, Fla.
"I know it's a rebuilding process for Minnesota right now, but I want to be a part of that," Thiam said. "Coach Ben this being his first year, I would love to be a part of that to make history for Minnesota."
Thiam played for the same junior college as 6-9 Stephen F. Austin graduate transfer Charlie Daniels, who committed to the Gophers on Thursday.
In the national junior college tournament, Thiam had 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting and 5-for-9 shooting from three-point range in a win vs. the College of Southern Idaho to reach the Elite Eight.
He had seven 20-point performances in his last 13 games, including a career-high 31 points on 7-for-11 shooting from beyond the arc.
"He's just scratching the surface," Indian River State College coach Charlie Wilson said. "He's kind of a late bloomer. He's highly efficient. He's a high-level shooter with an unbelievable motor. He's an even better kid."
Thiam will have four years of eligibility for the Gophers since he was a full academic qualifier out of Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando last year. His parents are from Senegal, but Thiam's originally from Atlanta.
The Gophers have their eighth transfer joining the team, but they still have three scholarships remaining to find more size for the frontcourt.
Johnson has several experienced guards transferring into the program, including seniors E.J. Stephens (Lafayette), Luke Loewe (William & Mary), Payton Willis (Charleston) and Sean Sutherlin (New Hampshire).
"Since I'm a freshman, I'd say first year I would be a specialist," Thiam said about his role. "Just shooting the ball. But obviously, I have to go there to work hard and develop every day, so that I can get opportunities to touch the ball."
