Elliott Eliason made a verbal commitment to the Gophers Wednesday night, according to rivals.com.
The 6-11 center from Chadron, Neb., is Tubby Smith's first commitment in the 2010 class. He's a three-star prospect on rivals.com.
Eliason averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks per contest during his junior season at Chadron High School.
This is a good move for Minnesota. The 6-11 talent who won Nebraska's Gatorade Player of the Year honors will start his freshman year when centers Ralph Sampson III and Colton Iverson begin their junior seasons.
The Gophers have two scholarships left for 2010 players.
Eliason's high school hoped to attend the annual Gatorade Timberwolves Shootout, a showcase for high school teams. But it wasn't financially feasible, according to Eliason's coach, Craig Nobling.
Marcus Fuller joined the Star Tribune in 2016 after 11 years covering Gophers sports – and just about every other team and league in town -- for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Before making the Twin Cities his home, Marcus spent two years in The Kansas City Star sports department. Marcus grew up in Hawaii and is a 2002 graduate of San Jose State. Follow Fuller on Twitter @Marcus_R_Fuller.
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