Ben Johnson stands up for Braeden Carrington after 'irresponsible' transfer rumor

Gophers coach says rumor was 'unfair' to a player who 'has done everything right.'

As the Gophers men’s basketball team returned from its break the day after Christmas, coach Ben Johnson met with sophomore guard Braeden Carrington, who told him he was ready to work towards a return to the program.

Johnson said Carrington, who had taken a step away from the program for mental health, looked the best he’d seen him in three weeks. “He was glowing,” Johnson said.

But the excitement of that moment as they figured out a plan for his return suddenly turned to frustration when Johnson looked at his phone. It was blowing up. A rumor was circulating on social media that Carrington intended to enter the transfer portal.

“It’s disappointing that some people ran with a narrative that’s not fair to (Carrington),” Johnson said. “I don’t want to get on a big soap box, but I feel like I gotta — you gotta stand up for your guys when you need to stand up for your guys, and this is a time where I gotta stand up for my guy. And that kid has done everything right.”

While on leave from the program, Johnson said that Carrington has still been in the facility every day. Johnson said any rumors outside of what has been made public about the situation are “irresponsible.”

Carrington started the first 10 games of the season for Minnesota before stepping away from the program. He averages 5.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game and is an exceptional perimeter defender for the U.

While Carrington has returned to practice, he will not play in Friday’s home game against Maine. Johnson did, however, say there’s a “good chance” that he’ll play on Jan. 4 against Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., but that it depends on how he progresses back in practice.

“(Carrington’s) first practice was (Wednesday), so he’s still kinda just getting back into the flow of things,” guard Elijah Hawkins said. “In the game, he has a great defensive presence on the perimeter for us and he’s a great rebounder for us. It’s great to have him back.”

Carrington’s return also puts the Gophers at full strength as leading scorer Dawson Garcia will return Friday after missing the last three games with an ankle injury.

“To be fully loaded, especially this time of year, knock on wood, for us is definitely a good thing,” Johnson said.

But unfortunately for Johnson and the Gophers program, in the midst of all the good things that had happened during the holidays, they had to deal with some outside noise.

“I’m glad (Carrington is) back, but I just felt bad about the timing of it, however that got out, by whoever, because it couldn’t be further from the truth,” Johnson said. “And for a kid that could’ve left last year and didn’t and stuck with it and was a kid that when I first got the job, I think he was the first kid that committed to me and that has shown unbelievable loyalty to myself and to the program, for even that to like remotely come out is not fair to him, at all. 

"And I know it bothered him because he cares. That’s unfair.” 

Minnesota guard Braeden Carrington drives to the basket against Nebraska on Dec. 3, 2023, in Minneapolis / Gophers Athletics