Ben Johnson and the Minnesota Gophers basketball program has been riding one hell of a roller coaster so far this offseason, trying to navigate the ever changing transfer portal scene.
Today brought a mix of good and bad news. It didn’t get off to the best start when true freshman, Cam Christie entered the transfer portal. But things got better from there. First, they snagged a commitment from Macalester phenom Caleb Williams.
What will Caleb Williams bring to the Minnesota Gophers?
Caleb made quite the impression in an exhibition game between Macalester and Minnesota, before the Gophers season officially started, scoring an incredible 41 points. Having spent his first three years at Macalester, which is conveniently located in the twin cities, Caleb won’t have to move very far.
Back in early November, Williams had his moment in the spotlight at the barn. Now, with one more year of eligibility remaining, he’ll make entire season worth of memories at the historic Dinkytown arena.
Williams demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout his Macalester career, starting in all 80 games he competed in. Excelling at the Division III level, now, as he transitions to playing for the Gophers at the Division I level, Williams is prepared to showcase his talents on a bigger stage.
Originally from Wild Rose, Wisconsin, Williams stands tall at 6 feet 2 inches. That 41 point exhibition performance was far from his only big showing this season. Against Concordia Moorhead, he dropped 51 points and averaged 20 points on 35.7 minutes per game.
It’s a significant acquisition for Ben Johnson, who’s faced departures of key players like Elijah Hawkins, Josh Ola Joseph, Pharrell Payne, and Braden Carrington to the transfer portal this offseason. Despite these losses, Johnson remains actively engaged in boosting his roster and continues to seek out further talent from the transfer portal.
Femi Odukale Also Commits To Gophers
Just hours after Caleb Williams’ commitment, the Gophers received another boost with the addition of Femi Odukale, who has played for notable programs including Seton Hall, Pittsburgh and New Mexico State. Now, he’s set to bring his seasoned skills to Minnesota.
Odukale has accumulated an impressive tally of 80 starts over the past four years. During his time at New Mexico State last year, he averaged 10.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, while logging an average of 28.7 minutes.
Standing tall at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing in at 185 pounds, Odukale is designated as a guard, adding both physical stature and skill to this team’s lineup. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, he brings a unique flair and energy to the court.
Femi too, has just one year of eligibility remaining, but his recruitment marks a pivotal moment for Coach Ben Johnson’s efforts to fortify his 2024-25 roster, after significant departures to the transfer portal.
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