Staff Directory 6370596

Marcus Fuller

Reporter | Gophers basketball

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. 


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, he spent two years in The Kansas City Star sports department. Fuller grew up in Hawaii and is a 2002 graduate of San Jose State.
Recent content from Marcus Fuller
Double Down coaches Nick Pederson and Parker Fox, right, give their last instructions during halftime of their game against Team Sizzle on Thursday ni

Gophers' Fox can't play in Twin Cities Pro-Am league, but he's doing everything else

With the Gophers protecting players from injury, Parker Fox sponsored a team in the Twin Cities Pro-Am league, where he coaches and does interviews for his podcast.
Tommy Ahneman, a center who transferred from Fargo to Cretin-Derham Hall, has narrowed his list to five colleges.

Top-ranked boys basketball recruit in Minnesota narrows list to five

Tommy Ahneman, a four-star recruit who transferred from Fargo to Cretin Derham-Hall, recently cut his college list to five schools, including the Gophers.
Gophers forward Dawson Garcia had surgery on a foot injury but is expected to return to basketball activities in September.

Gophers basketball standout Garcia recovering from foot surgery

The Big Ten's leading returning scorer is expected to resume activities in September after suffering a left foot injury in practice this month.
Gophers senior Mike Mitchell Jr. is the team's only returning guard.

U backcourt looks to build chemistry with Mitchell as only returnee

With only Mike Mitchell Jr. returning at guard, the Gophers welcomed six newcomers to the backcourt this summer, including five seniors.
Gophers volleyball players, clockwise from left, Julia Hanson, Phoebe Awoleye, Lydia Grote, Melani Shaffmaster, Mckenna Wucherer and Zeynep Palabiyik

Veteran Gophers volleyball players excited for Year 2 with Cook

Fifth-year setter Melani Shaffmaster and others recruited by the previous coaching staff are ready to take the next step under second-year coach Keegan Cook.
Four-star IMG Academy (Fla.) guard Amari Allen has offers from the Gophers and Badgers.

Gophers, Badgers have official visits set up with same four-star recruit

Amari Allen, a 6-7 Wisconsin native who plays at IMG Academy, says Gophers coach Ben Johnson has been recruiting him the hardest, but the rival Badgers are in the mix, too.
Mark Coyle is in his ninth year as Gophers athletic director.

Gophers AD Coyle continues to say big decisions coming for U athletics

In his annual presentation to the U's Board of Regents on Wednesday, AD Mark Coyle said, "We'll have to take a hard look at all of our sports."
Aaliyah Crump drove to the basket on Elli Howard of Wayzata Tuesday January ,10 2024 in, Minnetonka Minn. ] JERRY HOLT • jerry.holt@startribune.com

Minnetonka girls basketball star Crump picks Texas for college

Aaliyah Crump, a 6-1 senior guard for Minnetonka and five-star prospect, picked Texas on Monday after winning a high school state title last season.
Gophers sprinter Devin Augustine has been rewarded with an Olympic berth for Trinidad & Tobago in the 100 meters.

Gophers sprinter Augustine qualifies for Paris with Trinidad & Tobago

Devin Augustine, one of the Gophers' most successful sprinters of all time, will run the 100 meters for Trinidad & Tobago in the upcoming Summer Olympics.
Dickson Jensen coached Caitlin Clark with the All Iowa Attack AAU team. Several top Minnesotans have flocked to play for his program.

Caitlin Clark's old AAU program has dominant Minnesota players now

Aaliyah Crump, Chloe Johnson, Ari Peterson and the Wilson sisters from Hill-Murray, Mya and Ashlee, are among the rising stars from Minnesota assembled on All Iowa Attack, Caitlin Clark's former AAU team.
Tyler Cochran in November 2019, when he played for Northern Illinois.

U men fill final scholarship spot for next season with Toledo transfer

Tyler Cochran, a 6-2 guard, is a sixth-year senior who has played for Northern Illinois, Ball State and Toledo.
UConn's Donovan Clingan reaches for the ball as Purdue's Zach Edey defends in the NCAA title game won by Connecticut on April 8. Both Clingan and Edey

Marcus Fuller's NBA mock draft: Who will go first?

Will the No. 1 pick be a college player or an international star?
Cam Christie averaged 11.3 points and shot 42% from three-point range last season as a Gophers freshman.

Gophers take pride in Christie's development, hoping he's an NBA first-rounder

The Gophers men's basketball team hasn't produced a first-round NBA draft pick since Kris Humphries in 2004, but Ben Johnson hopes that changes this week.
Gophers men's basketball coach Ben Johnson went 19-15 last season, advancing to the NIT's second round.

U returnees Garcia, Fox and Mitchell provide needed stability

Gophers men's basketball coach Ben Johnson has several newcomers at summer practice, but three returning players — Dawson Garcia, Parker Fox and Mike Mitchell Jr. — provide a steady foundation.
Lu'Cye Patterson, a transfer from Charlotte who played at Minnesota Prep Academy, returned home this summer to play for the Gophers next season.

Patterson looks to lead Gophers the way he led at Minnesota Prep Academy

When Lu'Cye Patterson hit the transfer portal, ready to leave Charlotte, there was only one place he wanted to play.
Gophers men's basketball coach Ben Johnson is working on his 2025 recruiting class.

Gophers offer hoops scholarship to rising 6-11 recruit from West Fargo

After North Dakota's player of the year had a breakout spring in AAU with Howard Pulley, his first unofficial visit came with the Gophers this week.
Gophers men's basketball coach Ben Johnson sees potential in his remade roster.




The Gophers open practice at Athletes Village practice court.

Ben Johnson Q&A: Sizing up remade U roster entering summer practice

With summer practice starting next week, Gophers men's basketball coach Ben Johnson is preparing a team that went through big changes, including several new transfers.
Gophers women's hockey coach Brad Frost oversees one of four teams in the athletic department that posted a perfect APR score for the four-year period

Twelve Gophers sports programs post perfect one-year APR scores

The Gophers continued their APR success with the latest annual report showing four programs received perfect scores over the period from 2019-23.
Devin Augustine, left, and Charles Godfred are both Big Ten champions heading to the NCAA track and field championships, which start Wednesday in Euge

One Gophers sprinter missed an NCAA cut by 0.01 seconds — but rallied to make it anyway

Gophers track stars Devin Augustine, Charles Godfred narrowly missed qualifying for the NCAA outdoor track & field championships at first before getting there in other events.
Gophers senior Shelby Frank ranks among the nation's best in the discus and hammer throw.

Which Gophers are competing at the NCAA track and field meet this week?

The NCAA outdoor track and field championships run Wednesday through Saturday in Eugene, Ore.
Cam Christie (24) plays his final collegiate game on March 14, a loss to Michigan State in the Big Ten tournament at Target Center.

It's goodbye college for former Gophers guard Cam Christie

Cam Christie is sticking with his plan to enter the NBA draft. The former Gophers guard had previously kept his options open.
Minnesota big businesses could hire Mara Braun, left, or Dawson Garcia for endorsement work.

How might Target, 3M, other giants invest in Gophers NIL deals?

Minnesota has a new point person working with the state's Fortune 500 companies, educating them about NIL, all in search of the next 'game changer.'
Ty McDevitt takes over as Gophers baseball coach, replacing legend John Anderson.

Gophers name pitching guru McDevitt next head baseball coach

Gophers pitching coach and alum Ty McDevitt agreed to a three-year deal to become the program's next head baseball coach, the Gophers announced Wednesday.
Dawson Garcia, left, and Parker Fox are among the key returnees for the Gophers for next season.

Gophers men's basketball roster gets another major makeover

The combination of unexpected departures and only three players returning who had significant playing time once again forced Minnesota deep into the transfer portal.
Minneapolis native Lu'Cye Patterson, left, has decided to transfer from Charlotte to play his final year of eligibility with the Gophers.

Charlotte hoops transfer Patterson returns home, commits to Gophers

Minneapolis native Lu'Cye Patterson, who averaged 14.6 points per game for Charlotte last season, is transferring home to Minnesota.
Totino-Grace’s Dothan Ijadimbola (0) celebrates after defeating DeLaSalle 74-67 in the class 3A semifinals at Williams Arena on March 21.

Two U men's basketball targets featured on this star-filled AAU team

The D1 Minnesota team of high school sophomores is among almost 300 teams playing this weekend at an AAU tournament that will take over gyms in the west metro.
Early in her freshman season one year ago, Gophers shortstop Jess Oakland struggled to live up to her lofty goals. After rebuilding her self-confidenc

Big Ten softball's best hitter? She plays shortstop for the Gophers.

The Gophers will open the Big Ten softball tournament on Wednesday with the conference's top hitter on their side. Jess Oakland has been a force as a sophomore.
Gophers men's basketball coach Ben Johnson continues to retool the roster.

Texas San Antonio big man Edmonds commits to Gophers as a transfer

Colorado native Trey Edmonds scored in double figures 11 times last season before entering the transfer portal and picking Minnesota.
Caleb Williams threw a behind-the-back pass during November's exhibition game between the Gophers and Macalester. Williams announced Wednesday he will

U gets Macalester star, N. Mexico St. wing who has been at 3 other schools

Macalester guard Caleb Williams scored 41 points against the Gophers in an exhibition game; New Mexico State wing Femi Odukale has also played at Pitt and Seton Hall.
Gophers guard Cam Christie (24) had several big moments for the team as a freshman. After earlier declaring for the NBA draft, Christie also entered t

U's Christie enters transfer portal after previously declaring for draft

There was a scenario where the 6-6 guard would return to the Gophers if he removed his name from the NBA draft. But Christie has now given himself to option to play college basketball elsewhere.
Caleb Williams (32) shot over former Gophers guard Elijah Hawkins (0) during an exhibition game in November. Williams scored 41 points against the Gop

U basketball targets Macalester star Caleb Williams, other transfers

Williams, a 6-2 guard who scored 41 points against the U in an exhibition game, visited campus recently. The Gophers still have needs at guard and in the post with the transfer portal closing Wednesday.
Brennan Rigsby (4) takes a shot for Oregon against South Carolina on March 21 in the NCAA tournament in Pittsburgh.

Gophers hoops lands Oregon guard transfer after Hawkins' departure

The Gophers had an increasing need at guard after Elijah Hawkins entered the transfer portal earlier this week.
Oregon guard Brennan Rigsby (4) takes a shot against Utah on March 9 in Eugene, Ore.

Changing up the guards: Oregon transfer interests U, visits campus

The Gophers are looking to replace guard Elijah Hawkins, who entered the transfer portal on Monday. Brennan Rigsby of Oregon is visiting the U, and a couple others have attracted the team's interest.
Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck added a wide receiver in Georgia transfer Tyler Williams on Tuesday.

U football lands wide receiver transfer from Georgia

Former Georgia receiver Tyler Williams adds to one of the Big Ten's top transfer classes for P.J. Fleck's Gophers.
Pharrel Payne (21) of the Minnesota Golden Gophers hangs on the rim after a dunk agains the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half Thursday, Feb. 22,

Ex-Gophers forward Payne transferring to Texas A&M

Pharrel Payne, a Cottage Grove native who started for the Gophers this season, says he'll play for the Aggies next season.
Gophers guard Elijah Hawkins has entered the transfer portal after saying last month that he would return to Minnesota next season.

After saying he'd stay, U point guard Hawkins entering transfer portal

Elijah Hawkins, who ranked second in the nation with 7.5 assists last season, said after the Big Ten tournament that he would "definitely be back" with the Gophers.
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck has been adding high-profile players to the roster.

Gophers get transfer commitment from 6-foot-8 Clemson defensive end

Adam Kissayi, who committed to Gophers coach P.J. Fleck last summer before flipping to Clemson, has changed his mind again.
Jaxon Howard had offers from across the country when he committed to LSU on July 1, 2022 at Robbinsdale Cooper High School.

Former Cooper football star Howard transfers from LSU to Gophers

Former Cooper star and LSU defensive end Jaxon Howard, the most highly touted high school football recruit in Minnesota last year, has committed to the Gophers
Frank Mitchell, who ranked fourth in the nation in rebounding with Canisius, is transferring to the Gophers.

Mitchell, a 6-8 rebounding machine, likes the fit with U men's basketball

Frank Mitchell, who ranked fourth nationally in rebounding this past season at Canisius, will be counted on to help replace Pharrel Payne.
Frank Mitchell ranked fourth in the nation in rebounding with Canisius.

Gophers men's basketball lands big-man transfer Mitchell from Canisius

Canisius transfer Frank Mitchell, the nation's fourth-leading rebounder this past season, committed to the Gophers on Wednesday.
Gophers players huddle up before the 2023 season opener against Nebraska.

Four-star linebacker gives commitment to Gophers football

The No. 1 recruit in Minnesota for the 2025 class had offers from several top programs including Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin
Gophers forward Parker Fox (23) celebrates a dunk against Ohio State on Feb. 22 at Williams Arena.

Fox announces he's returning to U men's basketball for one more year

Mahtomedi native Parker Fox had a strong finish to the season and is coming back for a seventh season of college basketball.
Cam Christie (24) was an impact player for the Gophers as a  freshman this past season.

Is Christie gone, too? Gophers freshman guard declares for draft.

Cam Christie, who earned All-Big Ten freshman honors this past season, announced he'll test NBA waters while maintaining college eligibility.
Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer is working to get acclimated with the team's receivers.

Four things to watch Thursday at rare open Gophers football practice

With no Gophers spring game, this is the best chance to catch an early glimpse at next season. All eyes will be on new quarterback Max Brosmer, along with Darius Taylor and the backup running backs.
Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer, a transfer from New Hampshire, directs players during practice Thursday.

Gophers show off new receivers but there's work to be done

"We're creating more playmakers," Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck said after Thursday's open practice that featured both dropped passes and redemption catches.
Jaxon Howard has entered the NCAA transfer portal after picking LSU comping out of Robbinsdale Cooper.

LSU defensive end Jaxon Howard, once a Gophers recruiting target, enters transfer portal

Howard was flooded with offers coming out of Robbinsdale Cooper and considered the Gophers before selecting LSU.
New Gophers special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky has 40 years of coaching experience in college and the NFL.

U's new special teams coach has experience working with the best

The Gophers football team can't wait to see what kicker Dragan Kesich and punter Mark Crawford will do under new special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky.
DJ Burns Jr., right, is making a big impact for N.C. State after transferring in from Winthrop two years ago.

Transfers make big mark on men's Final Four, especially the underdogs

All four teams have transfers who have played key roles this season. North Carolina State, which is making a surprising run as a No. 11 seed, has seen the biggest boost.
Minnesota Gophers forward Dawson Garcia (3) and forward Parker Fox (23) celebrate an and-one opportunity by Garcia in the second half Monday, Jan. 15,

Garcia staying with Gophers; Johnson hopes fans appreciate choice

Ben Johnson was sitting in his office Thursday when he got a text saying Dawson Garcia was in the building. The coach didn't know what to expect.
Ben Johnson instructed his team during a time out during a Big Ten tournament game against Michigan State last month.

Five Gophers going, but Johnson hopeful four starters will be back

Gophers coach Ben Johnson said he isn't upset with players who decided to enter the transfer portal, saying they "make decisions that are best for them."
Gophers guard Mike Mitchell Jr. (2) makes a pass against Indiana center Kel'el Ware on Jan. 12 in Bloomington, Ind.

Gophers guard Mike Mitchell Jr. is staying with Ben Johnson's program

Mike Mitchell, who averaged 10.2 points per game this season, will return to the Gophers next season, his father told the Star Tribune.
Gophers forward Pharrel Payne continued his development this season under coach Ben Johnson.

U basketball losses mount: Payne, Carrington, Ihnen enter portal

The Gophers men's basketball team has seen three sophomores from Minnesota enter the transfer portal over two days.
Andrew Morgan (23) defends against Kansas forward Jalen Wilson (10) while playing for North Dakota State.

Gophers transfer portal watch: NDSU big man visiting

Former North Dakota State big man and Waseca native Andrew Morgan plans to visit the Gophers on Thursday. The 6-10 junior has one year of eligibility left.
Joshua Ola Joseph (1) of the Minnesota Gophers Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, at Williams Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ • carlos.gonzalez@

Gophers sophomore Ola-Joseph enters transfer portal

Joshua Ola-Joseph saw his role with Gophers basketball decrease late this season. Now the forward is heading to a new team.
Incoming Gophers recruit Isaac Asuma leads Cherry to the Class 1A championship over Fertile-Beltrami last Saturday at Williams Arena.

U recruits Asuma, Grove ready for jump from state tourney to college

Cherry's Isaac Asuma remembers being wide-eyed as a sophomore at Williams Arena, but by Saturday's 1A title game, the Iron Range star felt in his element. Fellow Gophers recruit Grayson Grove of Alexandria joined him on the all-tournament team.
Gophers guard Cam Christie (24) averaged 11.3 points per game and made the Big Ten's All-Freshman team this season, but he is considering his pro opti

Gophers roster analysis: Decisions by two key players loom largest

The Gophers had 10 more wins this season than in 2022-23. Their continued improvement, however, will be largely based on who decides to return.
Indiana State's Jayson Kent (20) and the Gophers' Braeden Carrington (4) reach for a rebound during the second round of the NIT on Sunday in Terre Hau

Hawkins hurt as Gophers lose to Indiana St. in NIT's second round

After being the standout in Minnesota's opening-round win, point guard Elijah Hawkins was limited to 21 minutes because of an injured hip.
Indiana State's Robbie Avila (nicknamed "Cream Abdul-Jabbar"), right, dribbles against Drake's Darnell Brodie in the Missouri Valley Conference champi

Indiana State has 'Cream Abdul-Jabbar.' It also has Gophers' full respect.

Entering Sunday's game against the Gophers, the Sycamores are the No. 1 seed in the NIT and the No. 1 snub from the NCAA tourney.
Indiana State players celebrate their Missouri Valley Conference regular season title on March 3.

Gophers' next NIT opponent is tournament's No. 1 seed

One of the most intriguing early NIT matchups could be when the Gophers men play at Indiana State, the tournament's No. 1 overall seed.
Gophers men's basketball student manager Drew Evenson, left, has been an inspiration for the team.

Gophers manager is ready for his own version of March Madness

Drew Evenson was surrounded by his Gophers basketball family when he finished cancer treatment. "He's as big a part of this team as anybody," coach Ben Johnson said.
Purdue star Zach Edey (15) drew a foul against Wisconsin's Steven Crowl during last Saturday's overtime loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten tournament se

No. 1 seeded again, can Purdue avoid another embarrassment?

Remember how the Boilermakers lost in the first round last year to a No. 16 seed in one of the most memorable NCAA tournament games in recent years?
Gophers guard Cam Christie, right, looks to keep the ball away from Butler in the first round of the NIT on Tuesday at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapol

Hawkins' free throws in final seconds boost U past Butler 73-72 in NIT

In addition to two free throws with five seconds left, point guard Elijah Hawkins also had 15 assists to get the Gophers into the second round.
Marcus Fuller makes his 2024 NCAA men's basketball tournament predictions.

NCAA men's basketball bracket. Fuller's picks, predictions, highlights

The NCAA men's basketball tournament has been set, and Star Tribune college basketball writer Marcus Fuller has his bracket ready for your inspection.
Five Minnesotans to watch in the upcoming NCAA tournament (clockwise from left): Iowa State's Curtis Jones, Colorado's J'Vonne Hadley, Texas Tech's Ke

Minnesotans to watch in the NCAA men's basketball tournament

Minnesota natives in this year's tournament include Kerwin Walton, Dain Dainja, Steven Crowl and several others.
Gophers guard Cam Christie, left, and forward Parker Fox (23) defend Michigan State's A.J. Hoggard during the Big Ten tournament at Target Center. The

Gophers don't hesitate to grab NIT spot, look forward to facing Butler

Ben Johnson, in his third season as Gophers coach, can build on his NIT experience as an assistant under Richard Pitino in 2013-14.
Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht is this season's SEC player of the year.

NCAA men's basketball: What to watch in all four regions

Four must-watch players and four must-watch matchups from the 68-team field announced Sunday.
Illinois coach Brad Underwood speaks from the stage after his team was awarded the trophy for winning the Big Ten tournament on Sunday. The Illini bea

Big Ten tournament at Target Center brought plenty of big performances

Marcus Fuller's five takeaways from five days of competition in downtown Minneapolis.
Gophers coach Ben Johnson will get to extend the season into the NIT, with a first-round matchup at Butler.

Gophers men's basketball gets NIT bid, first-round matchup with Butler

The Gophers' season has been extended with a first-round matchup against Butler in the 32-team NIT.
Nebraska forward Juwan Gary (4) shows his emotions during a 98-87 loss to Illinois in the Big Ten tournament semifinals Saturday at Target Center.

Hoiberg-led Nebraska runs out of steam in Big Ten semifinals, looks toward NCAAs

Nebraska could not hang on to a second-half lead in losing to Illinois 98-87, but the Cornhuskers are poised to get an NCAA tournament bid Sunday.
Gophers coach Ben Johnson and his players will find out Sunday night if they get an NIT bid.

Gophers men hoping for NIT bid Sunday, but it's certainly no lock

The Gophers went 18-14 and 9-11 during the Big Ten Regular season before getting bounced from the conference tournament by Michigan State.
Michigan State guard and former Cretin-Derham Hall standout Tre Holloman (5) takes a shot out of Purdue star Zach Edey's reach Friday at Target Center

Heide, Holloman relive state title matchup during Big Ten tournament

The former Minnesota prep standouts faced off Friday when Purdue beat Michigan State in the Big Ten tournament.
Gophers senior Parker Fox, middle, hypes up the team before Thursday's loss to Michigan State in the second round of the Big Ten tournament at Target

Gophers: 'Imagine what we could do' next season

As the Gophers wait for a possible NIT bid Sunday, roll call for next season has begun. Elijah Hawkins will return. Dawson Garcia and Cam Christie are undecided.
Gophers guard Cam Christie, left, fends off Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard during Thursday's Big Ten tournament game at Target Center.

Gophers overmatched in 10-point loss to Michigan State; season over?

The Gophers led by two points at halftime, but couldn't hold off the Spartans at the Big Ten tournament with their fifth loss in six games. Now, the waiting game for a possible NIT berth.
Gophers guard Elijah Hawkins, left, and teammate Parker Fox defend against Michigan State's Tre Holloman in Thursday's Big Ten tournament matchup.

Gophers point guard Hawkins 'definitely coming back next year'

After Thursday's loss to Michigan State, Gophers point guard Elijah Hawkins made it clear he doesn't have plans to transfer.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, center, Malik Hall, right, and Tyson Walker react during overtime against James Madison during an NCAA college basketba

Gophers, Spartans both riding 1-4 skids into Big Ten hoops tourney

The Gophers must drastically improve on defense to have a chance to make a Big Ten men's basketball tournament run, starting Thursday against the Spartans.