DeAndre Mathieu is now a father

Next season, DeAndre Mathieu faces a host a new challenges. 

In his senior year, the 5-foot-9 Mathieu will be one of the Minnesota's leaders, both on the court and off. His steady presence and occasional dominance through last season suggest he has room in his game to grow and improve, but this time around, scouting reports around the Big Ten will have the point guard's name highlighted. 

Now, the Knoxville, Tenn. native is adding fatherhood to that mix. 

At 12:23 a.m. on July 3, Mathieu reported via Twitter that his girlfriend had birthed their son, Elijah Deion Mathieu.

"Life as I know it has changed," he wrote, attaching the image of young Mathieu, pictured right.

Mathieu was in Maysville, KY -- where his girlfriend lives -- and present at the hospital for the birth.

Later, Gophers coach Richard Pitino tweeted his congratulations to the couple.

"A lot of late nights and early mornings ahead of you!" he wrote.