Transfer portal acquisitions were essential for Ben Johnson to add depth to the Gophers' men's basketball roster this spring, but there are still holes left inside and outside.
One of the top prospects to bring scoring and shooting to the Gophers' backcourt is a familiar name to sports fans.
Caleb Williams was selected No. 1 overall by the Chicago Bears in last week's NFL Draft, but McAlester's Caleb Williams is a Portal Division 3 guard who recently visited the Gophers.
The 6-2 Wildrose, Wis., native has been offered to several other Division I programs, especially after scoring 41 points in an exhibition loss to the Gophers at Williams Arena last season. It also attracted interest from
Williams averaged 20 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 25 games for Scotland and earned All-MIAC honors as a junior. He scored a school-record 51 points in a win over Concordia in January.
The Gophers also hope to add another transfer this weekend in Texas-San Antonio big man Trey Edmonds. He reportedly may also visit Mississippi State and Cincinnati.
Edmonds, a 6-10, 255-pound junior, averaged 7.0 points and 5.8 rebounds last season. The Colorado native scored 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting in UTSA's 102-76 loss to the Gophers on Nov. 10 at Byrne.
Landing Williams and Edmonds could help the Gophers make up for losses in the portal at key positions on the perimeter and in the post. Oregon State guard Brennan Rigsby and Canisius forward Frank Mitchell signed with the U's through the portal.
Two major transfer hits occurred for Johnson with the departures of starting point guard Elijah Hawkins and center Farrell Payne. Hawkins visited Texas Tech last week and Payne committed to Texas A&M.
With the transfer portal closing on Wednesday, the Gophers are expected to retain leading scorer and rebounder Dawson Garcia, top 3-point shooter Mike Mitchell Jr. and sixth man Parker Fox.