Minnesota Scene: Gophers recruit wins New York's Mr. Basketball honor

Gophers four-star basketball recruit Isaiah Washington became the latest New York City point guard to be named Mr. Basketball in the state of New York on Monday, according to Jorge Lopez, his coach at St. Raymond High School.

Washington, who averaged 26 points and six assists for the Ravens, scored a season-high 54 points in a loss to Cardinal Hayes this season. But he's expected to be more of a facilitator for the Gophers next season.

The 6-1 Bronx, N.Y., native is ranked as the 64th-best player in the 2017 class by 247Sports.com's composite ranking. Washington joins Patrick School (N.J.) senior guard Jamir Harris in the Gophers' freshman class next season.

"Isaiah Washington is as dynamic a point guard as you'll find in the country," Gophers coach Richard Pitino said earlier this year. "So I think with those two guys we really solidified a really good backcourt for many years."

Other New York City point guards to take Mr. Basketball honors include Kenny Anderson and former Timberwolves Stephon Marbury and Sebastian Telfair. Jonny Flynn took the honors in 2005 at Niagara Falls High School before going on to play for Syracuse and the Wolves.

Gophers sophomore guard Dupree McBrayer said Washington and Harris will add some outside shooting and playmaking ability to the team in 2017-18.

"We're excited to have them," McBrayer said. "When they get here, we'll be ready to work and show them the ropes."

MARCUS FULLER

For the third consecutive year, the Gophers' combination of Yu Zhou and Wenbo Chen has earned top Big Ten honors. Zhou was chosen Big Ten Women's Diver of the Year, while Chen was selected Big Ten Women's Diving Coach of the Year.

Zhou won Big Ten Diver of the Year and Big Ten Diver of the Championships all three years she was at Minnesota. Last week, she won her second NCAA title on the 3-meter board and placed fourth in 1-meter.

Zhou won the 1-meter and 3-meter titles at the 2017 Big Ten Championships. She concluded her career with seven Big Ten titles.

Chen has been named Big Ten Women's Diving Coach of the Year six times in his career, including five times at Minnesota. This season he guided the Gophers to seven All-America awards in as many events.