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The Gophers got a big add from the transfer portal Thursday, both figuratively and literally. 6-foot-11, 325-pound Washington State big man Jack Wilson announced that he will be transferring to Minnesota for his final season of college basketball as a grad student. Wilson has played both football and basketball at the collegiate level, but it seems as if basketball will be his calling card for the Maroon & Gold.
By the grace of God I’ve been blessed with an amazing journey through collegiate sports. I look forward to sharing what I’ve gained through my experiences with those around me, and doing whatever I can for this team and staff at the University of Minnesota. GO GOPHERS!!! pic.twitter.com/61oOX0YOSz
— Jack Wilson (@BigJackWilson71) April 14, 2023
Who is Jack Wilson?:
Jack Wilson joins Mike Mitchell Jr. as the second California native transfer to commit to Minnesota this offseason. Originally from Montara, Calif., Wilson was a four-star basketball prospect, holding top offers from Cal, Nevada and San Francisco. He began his college career at Oregon State and appeared in seven games as a true freshman. The following season he transferred to Idaho where he played in 18 games, and averaged 4.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. He then walked on to the Washington State football team the following year, where he appeared in 25 games through three seasons, mostly on special teams. After his final season on the gridiron, he returned to the hardwood for one season with the Cougars and supplied to some depth appearing in only 14 games.
- Scouting Report:
Jack Wilson played basketball exactly how you would expect a 6-foot-11, 300-pound man to do so. He plays very physically, relies on his size and will make his presence felt. He is a plus rebounder with good footwork. He does not have much of a jump shot and certainly lives around the rim, but he will always be one of the biggest players on the court whenever he is playing.
**Highlights:
Instant Reaction:
A lot of people are going to scoff at the fact the Gophers used a scholarship on a guy that averaged 0.3 PPG last season, but as an optimist, I think there is plenty of intrigue with this add. Overall, there was not a desperate need to add a post player to the current roster. Garcia, Payne and Fox will still be the main contributors, but Wilson provides a skill set that not many other people on planet Earth will. He will be the perfect player for Pharrel Payne to practice against throughout his development.
Wilson reminds me a lot of the Gophers adding Taurus Samuels in the portal last off-season. If everything goes well Wilson will not start a game for this team, or likely have much of a role, but he is a veteran presence that has been around that can provide some depth to the frontcourt.
What is next?:
With the add of Wilson, the Gophers now have two open scholarships remaining. Cal St. Fullerton transfer guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. is a strong possibility for one of those. I expect Johnson and his staff to continue to heavily pursue any experienced combo guards and shooting from the perimeter. If they’re able to add a player like Wrightsell ontop of a catch-and-shoot 2/3 it would fit this team’s needs.
Projected Depth Chart:
- G: Mike Mitchell Jr.
- G: Braeden Carrington/Cameron Christie
- F: Isaiah Ihnen/Josh Ola-Joseph/Kadyn Betts
- F: Dawson Garcia/Parker Fox/Will Ramberg
- C: Pharrel Payne/Jack Wilson
- *Walk-ons: Jackson Purcell, Erick Reader