Athletics at the University of Minnesota are running hot of late, led by the undefeated Gophers football team, the women’s hockey team ranked No. 1 in the country, and some really promising recruits for the men’s and women’s basketball teams, among other excellent storylines.
But while Lindsay Whalen has made quick work of luring some high-profile recruits and transfers to Minnesota, it’s been steady as Richard Pitino goes for the men’s team.
Steady, meaning he and his coaching staff have consistently brought in at least one 4-star recruit every year since 2015. Depending on the recruiting services you check, Pitino already has two 4-star recruits signed for 2020.
Jamal Mashburn Jr. – 6’0” combo guard
“Jamal is one of the top scorers in his class,” said Pitino in a statement. “He has unlimited range and competes every second he gets on the court. Jamal is one of the hardest workers in the country. He will be a tremendous addition to our basketball program on and off the court.”
Mashburn, a consensus 4-star recruit, is the son of former NBA All-Star Jamal Mashburn, who was picked fourth overall in the 1993 NBA Draft.
Martice Mitchell – 6’10” forward
“Martice has phenomenal potential,” Pitino said. “He can score inside and out. He’s versatile and has tremendous length. Every time I saw him he got better and better. He will be a terrific student athlete and will fit in right away into our locker room.”
Mitchell, out of Chicago, is a 4-star recruit in 247 Sports’ rankings, but his composite score makes him a highly rated 3-star recruit.
Will a homegrown 5-star recruit stay in Minnesota?
This is where Pitino’s 2020 recruiting class could get really impressive, as 5-star recruits Jalen Suggs (Minnehaha Academy) and Dawson Garcia (Prior Lake) have yet to announce where they’re going.
According to the Spokesman-Review, Suggs has narrowed his choices to Gonzaga, Florida, Minnesota and Florida State, although the article explains that Suggs hasn’t ruled out passing up college to play professionally in Europe.
Suggs, a 6’5” guard rated by ESPN as the sixth-best recruit in the country, will be on the football field leading his high school team, the SMB Wolfpack, in the state semifinals against Hutchinson at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
Suggs is expected to announce his decision Jan. 4, 2020, according to the Spokesman-Review.
Garcia, a 6’11” forward, is ranked as the No. 2 player in the Minnesota and the No. 22 player overall in the Class of 2020, according to 247Sports. Garcia will announce his decision Nov. 20, and is deciding between the Gophers, Marquette, Memphis and Indiana.
Another high-level recruit from Minnesota is Hopkins guard Kerwin Walton, a 4-star recruit by 247 Sports who is also undecided.
