Men’s basketball: Gophers center Robert Vaihola to enter transfer portal

Q: Why is Robert Vaihola entering the transfer portal?

Robert Vaihola is entering the transfer portal to explore opportunities elsewhere after a season limited by injury.

Q: What impact does Vaihola's transfer have on the Gophers basketball team?

Vaihola's departure highlights the Gophers' need to recruit additional centers as they have lost key players and have several openings for next season.

Q: What is the deadline for players to enter the transfer portal?

The transfer portal opened on Tuesday and will close on April 21, giving players a limited time to make their decisions.

Gophers starting center Robert Vaihola will enter the transfer portal, a source confirmed to the Pioneer Press on Friday, ending uncertainty on what his future would be with the Minnesota program next season.

The Gophers, however, remain in a holding pattern with point guard Chansey Willis, who was not announced by Dinkytown Athletes as a returning player in late March and has not said if he will enter the portal.

Gophers guards Kai Shinholster and Chance Stephens also haven’t shared their plans for next season. Minnesota has seven players lined up for next season with eight openings. The portal opened Tuesday and closes on April 21.

The exit of the 6-foot-9 Vaihola underscores the Gophers’ need to add centers via the portal. The U’s backup big, Nehemiah Turner, left the U program during the season.

Vaihola transferred to the U from San Jose State last year but played only five games before a knee injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. He averaged 5.0 points and 7.6 rebounds in five games for the U.

Willis’ season was ended by a knee injury in November. The Western Michigan transfer was averaging 6.3 points and 3.3 assists in seven games.