Hopkins basketball star Amir Coffey picks Gophers

The Gophers got their biggest local recruit in about a decade on Monday, as Hopkins star guard Amir Coffey announced he will accept a scholarship to Minnesota and play for the Gophers next year.

“I just wanted to pick the best school for me”, Coffey said (per Amelia Rayno of the Minneapolis Star Tribune), adding that he was excited to “put Minnesota across my chest”.

“Minnesota assistant coach Ben Johnson did a great job recruiting Amir and he took a liking to Ben”, Richard Coffey said.

Sometimes you can stay home.

Coffey is the highest-rated recruit to commit to Minnesota since Royce White in 2009, and he would be the highest-rated recruit to play for Minnesota since Kris Humphries in 2003-04. Richard played for coach Clem Haskins 1986-1990. ESPN ranks Coffey the No. 33 player in the country.

The Gophers’ chances to get Coffey were bolstered by news he had cancelled an official visit with Texas last week. He also bought into what Coach Pitino told him about them forming not only a strong relationship but a partnership.

“They’re always talking to me about how they would play me with a young team”, Coffey said this offseason. Coffey will be a tremendous playmaker in the open court, and can create for himself and teammates both on and off the ball within the halfcourt offense.

Who he reminds us of: Coffey brings to mind former Michigan star and National Basketball Association guard Jalen Rose because he is a long, lean, lefty playmaker with tremendous versatility. While Jarreau is generally considered to have more long-term upside because he has good size for his position, Gresham is a proven rebounder and rim protector who will also contribute at the high college level.

According to 247 Sports, Pitino and the Gophers have already received a commitment from the No. 2 player in Minnesota’s Class of 2016 – Rochester John Marshall’s Michael Hurt.