Head coach Niko Medved’s first recruiting class with the Gophers includes a four-star sharpshooter, a high-ceiling center and a tough, quick point guard.
The U announced Wednesday that Wayzata forward Nolen Anderson, Irvine, Calif., center Chadrack Mpoyi and East Ridge guard Cedric Tomes have signed to be three prongs in its 2026 class. Medved told the Pioneer Press on Tuesday the U’s group of high school additions will probably remain at three going into next season.
The Gophers’ incoming class is ranked 24th in the nation and sixth in the 18-team Big Ten, according to 247 Sports on Wednesday morning. Minnesota is among six schools in the conference with at least three commits apiece, which seems to boosts their standing as the early signing period opened.
The 6-foot-8 Anderson is considered a four-star prospect just outside the top 100 in the nation, while the 6-11 Mpoyi and 6-1 Tomes have been awarded three stars.
Here are Medved’s exclusive comments to the Poineer Press on each signee:
Anderson
“An elite shooter,” Medved said “… It’s been really cool to continue to watch his growth as a player. I feel like every time I see him he’s gotten taller. He’s becoming more explosive, athletic.”
Anderson helped lead Wayzata to the Class 4A state championship last March. He and Iowa State signee Christian Wiggins will lead the Trojans again this winter.
“(Anderson is) a winner,” Medved said. “He just plays the game the right way. He plays with a chip on his shoulder. I think he has a chance to be a tremendous player for us.”
Anderson averaged 17.7 points and 7.3 rebounds, while shooting 43% from 3-point range last year. His grandfather, Marlo Miller played for the Gophers (1957-60).
Mpoyi
“He is just oozing with potential,” Medved said. “He’s long. He’s athletic. He’s got good hands. … He’s just so raw.”
Gophers assistant coach Chad Warner “discovered” Mpoyi at an event in the spring, Medved said, and the U started recruiting him then. California-Santa Barbara was his only offer before Minnesota, with Utah, California, Utah State and Oregon State coming in later on.
Mpoyi moved from Likasi, Congo to California in 2024 and has only been playing basketball for five years. After playing on the Under Armour Circuit, he will play his senior season at Crean Lutheran High School.
“I think he’s going to have a great high school season and I think this guy has a chance to develop into a great player,” Medved said.
Tomes
“He has elite quickness,” Medved said. “… He can really shoot the ball.”
Tomes broke a finger on his non-shooting hand while playing quarterback for East Ridge this fall, but returned to the Raptors for the big-school playoffs.
“One of the things that I love about him is he is a multi-sport guy,” Medved said. “Cedric just loves to play. He loves to play and compete. … It would have been really easy (to) just shutdown football and get ready for basketball. But there was no way you were going to keep him off the field, to come back and have a chance to help his team. I just love that about him. He’s a competitor.”
Tomes averaged 27 points per game last season, setting East Ridge scoring records for single game (42 points) and season (735). With Tomes as the floor general last year, the Raptors went 27-1.
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