Forward Dominique Dawson will leave the Gophers’ men’s basketball team and transfer to Division II Kentucky Wesleyan College.

The redshirt sophomore from Minneapolis has three years of eligibility remaining.

A walk-on, Dawson struggled to find playing time in a crowded frontcourt that will only get deeper as forwards Oto Osenieks and Chris Halvorsen, and center Elliot Eliason will be eligible to compete next season.

“Dominique Dawson has done a good job for us in the two seasons he has been a part of the Golden Gopher basketball family,” Minnesota coach Tubby Smith said in a release. “He’s going to a great institution and program in Kentucky Wesleyan, where I know that he will contribute. We wish him the best of luck.”

In addition to the newcomers, Minnesota will get Trevor Mbakwe and Ralph Sampson III, who recently withdrew from the NBA draft, back for their senior seasons next season. Even after the recent departure of center Colton Iverson, minutes may have been hard to come by for Dawson next season.

“Dominique is a great addition to our program and will help us immediately,” Kentucky Wesleyan head coach Todd Lee said in the release. “He is a very good athlete, an excellent rebounder and has the ability to be a good offensive player for us.”

Sports Reporter Sam Gordon contributed to this report.