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Men’s basketball: Gophers gain commitment from Orono’s Nolan Groves
TL;DR
Nolan Groves, a 6-foot-5 wing from Orono, Minnesota, has committed to the Gophers men's basketball team after a freshman season at Texas Tech. Groves, the 2024-25 Gatorade Player of the Year in Minnesota, previously de-committed from Yale and chose Minnesota over offers from Wisconsin and Texas Tech.
The first addition of the Gophers men’s basketball program’s transfer portal class double dips as a homecoming.
Orono High School alum Nolan Groves announced Wednesday night he will commit to Minnesota after playing his true freshman season at Texas Tech. Groves visited the U campus on Wednesday.
“Coming home,” Groves wrote on Instagram.
The Long Lake, Minn., native won Minnesota’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2024-25 after averaging 34.1 points and 8.5 rebounds. The 6-foot-5 wing was pledged to attend Yale, but de-committed last April and announced offers from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Texas Tech.
While Gophers head coach Niko Medved attempted to bring Groves to the U last spring, he ended up being successful 12 months later.
Groves played little for a Red Raiders team that reached the second round of the NCAA tournament. He averaged 5.8 minutes, 0.9 points and 1.2 rebounds across 23 games. His route to play at Minnesota looks clearer with the exit of senior Cade Tyson, who led the U in scoring last season.
Minnesota did not have a commitment through the first week the transfer portal was open into Tuesday, but Groves now fills one of five scholarship openings for the 2026-27 roster.
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Q&A
Why did Nolan Groves leave Texas Tech to join the Gophers?
Nolan Groves decided to transfer to the Gophers for a homecoming after playing his freshman season at Texas Tech.
What accolades did Nolan Groves achieve in high school?
Nolan Groves was named Minnesota's Gatorade Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season, averaging 34.1 points and 8.5 rebounds.
Which colleges offered scholarships to Nolan Groves before he committed to Minnesota?
Before committing to Minnesota, Nolan Groves received offers from Wisconsin and Texas Tech, after initially de-committing from Yale.