Gophers men's basketball likely done recruiting for next season's roster after signing third transfer

Former Dartmouth guard Taurus Samuels officially signed Thursday to become Minnesota's 11th scholarship player.

May 12, 2022 at 7:16PM
Men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson speaks to the media before the start of the University of Minnesota Coaches Caravan Monday. (Aaron Lavinsky, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Gophers coach Ben Johnson likely made the last addition to his 2022-23 men's basketball team Thursday with the official signing of Dartmouth transfer Taurus Samuels.

Samuels, a 6-foot-1 senior guard, is the third transfer to sign with the Gophers this spring and the seventh newcomer to join the team.

"It means a ton to be a Gopher now," said Samuels, who committed Monday. "It's an exciting opportunity for me."

Johnson's only returning starter is leading scorer and rebounder Jamison Battle, so the competition will be fierce this summer to determine the U's best five and rotation for next season.

Starting 23 games and averaging 9.4 points for Dartmouth last season, Samuels brings much-needed experience and depth to Minnesota's backcourt, which will be entirely new.

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"I'm excited about the level of experience, leadership and versatility he brings to the guard position," Johnson said Thursday in a statement. "Taurus has great skills to play on and off the ball and give us good depth in our backcourt."

The Gophers are not expected to use their last two scholarships for next season after adding Samuels, Morehead State guard Ta'Lon Cooper, and North Carolina big man Dawson Garcia from the transfer portal this spring.

Cooper and Garcia are likely starters with Battle, but the rest of Johnson's lineup seems wide open with the Gophers opening summer practice early next month. Here's a crack at Johnson's early starters.

GOPHERS 2022-23 EARLY PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

Guard – Ta'Lon Cooper 6-4 junior

Guard – Braeden Carrington 6-4 freshman

Forward – Jamison Battle 6-7 junior

Forward – Dawson Garcia 6-11 junior

Forward – Pharrel Payne 6-9 freshman

OTHERS IN THE MIX

Guard – Taurus Samuels 6-1 senior

Forward – Parker Fox 6-8 junior

Forward – Isaiah Ihnen 6-9 junior

Guard/Forward – Jaden Henley 6-7 freshman

Forward – Joshua Ola-Joseph 6-7 freshman

Forward/Center – Treyton Thompson 7-0 sophomore

*Returning players in bold

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about the writer

Marcus Fuller

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Marcus Fuller covers Gophers men's basketball, national college basketball, college sports and high school recruiting for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

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