The late signing period opens today, and the Gophers men’s basketball team still has two scholarships to offer before the period ends May 15.
National recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons said that the Gophers have shown heavy interest in two junior college players, Jaquay Walls from Compton (Calif.) Community College and Carl Boyd from Porterville (Calif.) Junior College.
Walls, a 6-2 guard, visited Minnesota last weekend and is also being recruited by USC.
Boyd, who recently visited California, will be at Minnesota this weekend. He might also visit Memphis later this month. But Boyd, a 6-4 guard who averaged 15 points per game last season, might make a decision even sooner.
“He could easily commit to Cal or Minnesota after this weekend,” Porterville coach George Nessman said.
Gibbons said the Gophers are very interested in guard Zach Marbury, the brother of Minnesota Timberwolves star Stephon Marbury. Gibbons, however, said that Marbury, who this year played for Milford Academy, a prep school in Connecticut, will probably not qualify academically for next season.
The Gophers are looking to add to a recruiting class that Gibbons ranked in his top 25 after the early signing period in November. Minnesota signed guard Kevin Burleson, forward Nick Sinville and center Joel Przybilla during the period.
— Tim Klobuchar