Recently, I had the opportunity to spend some time with Amir Coffey, the state's top recruit for the 2016 class and get to know his talented basketball family as well. I wrote a feature about that unique family for Thursday's Star Tribune, here are a few other tidbits:

• Amir on his relationship with Minnesota coach Richard Pitino: "It's pretty good. We probably text each other every couple of days. Our relationship has really grown over the years from when I first met him. Anytime I go up [to campus], I can go talk to him or the players. I have a really good relationship with all the guys over there."

• Richard Coffey, Amir's father and an ex-Gopher, on Amir's pending college choice: "As a father, would I not love to see my son go to the same school that I went to, where I can get in my car and drive 15 minutes up the street and see him play every home game? Where he can wear the same colors, possibly the same number? What parent wouldn't love that? I would love that. But at the end of the day, he's got to go where is best for him."

Gridiron Gold: startribune.com/gophers