Gophers recruit Tre' Williams fell just short of a prep school national championship in his senior season earlier this month. The next step for Williams on the hardwood will be with the University of Minnesota, after he graduates from Wasatch Academy in Utah.
The four-star guard is ready to join now, though, if he could.
"I feel like the whole season was a success," Williams said. "I led my team to nationals. I matured and became a better leader. I took my game to another level with more confidence. This is what I've been preparing for being out of Wasatch."
The Gophers have four scholarships available — and possibly a fifth open spot later this summer if junior Amir Coffey decides to stay committed to the NBA draft process through June. They are excited to have Williams, but they're looking to add more players this week to join him in their 2019 recruiting class. The signing period for basketball reopens Wednesday and lasts a month. With those open chairs to fill and an NCAA tournament victory to build on, expect Gophers coach Richard Pitino to be quite busy this spring.
Pitino received a commitment earlier this month from 6-10 center Sam Freeman of Northwest High (Texas), who is expected to sign at a school ceremony Friday. Sunrise Christian Academy (Kan.) four-star guard Grant Sherfield is also considering the Gophers, along with Wichita State and Wake Forest. A former UCLA recruit, Sherfield had an official visit with his hometown Shockers over the weekend.
Gophers assistant Kyle Lindsted, a Wichita native, has known the Sherfield family for years. The 6-2 combo guard came away impressed after visiting the Gophers when they defeated Purdue on Senior Night in early March.
Pitino and his staff are also hoping to add some experience to the roster, especially in the frontcourt. Drexel junior forward and graduate transfer Alihan Demir is visiting the Gophers on Friday. The 6-9 Demir averaged 14.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and shot 51.2% from the floor this season.
Isaiah Ihnen, an 18-year-old up-and-coming prospect in Germany, said he will see Texas Christian and then the Gophers during his official visit tour starting this week. Ihnen, who is 6-9 and has a 7-4 wingspan, is scheduled to arrive in Minnesota on Sunday.