Ex-Gophers forward Jarvis Omersa becomes third Division I transfer to commit to St. Thomas

The former Orono standout opted out last season with the Gophers and entered the transfer portal

April 18, 2021 at 9:38PM
Former Gophers forward Jarvis Omersa (shown dunking against Loyola Marymount in December) announced Sunday he is transferring to St. Thomas. (Renee Jones Schneider, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

St. Thomas basketball made its biggest splash yet in landing former Gophers forward Jarvis Omersa on Sunday, he announced on Twitter.

Omersa, a 6-7, 235-pound junior, opted out in December due to concerns during the pandemic. The former Orono standout averaged 1.7 points, 2.3 rebounds a team-best 1.3 steals in 9.9 minutes through seven games before leaving the team.

The Tommies, who will transition from Division III to Division I next season, have also brought in two more Division I transfers from Minnesota with Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Courtney Brown Jr. (East Ridge) and J'Vonne Hadley (Cretin-Derham Hall).

Omersa's best career game was against North Dakota with 11 points and nine rebounds in the 2019-20 season. He averaged 1.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in two seasons with the Gophers.

The former Orono standout was part of former Gophers coach Richard Pitino's high-profile 2018 recruiting class, which included Cretin-Derham Hall's Daniel Oturu and DeLaSalle's Gabe Kalscheur.

Oturu left for the NBA last year and is a rookie with the Los Angeles Clippers. Kalscheur, who played three seasons with the Gophers, transferred to Iowa State earlier this month.

about the writer

Marcus Fuller

Reporter

Marcus Fuller covers Gophers men's basketball and college basketball for the Star Tribune. He has 13 years of experience covering Twin Cities college and professional sports. 

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