Cam Christie NBA potential stirs concern for 2024-25

If everyone returns, the 2024-25 Gophers could be very dangerous in the Big Ten.

Cam Christie's journey from standout prep player in Illinois to one of the best freshmen in the country wasn't expected by many, but the the 6-foot-6 guard has been so good at the University of Minnesota that there's talk of him possibly getting drafted to the NBA this summer. 

On Tuesday, Christie addressed questions about his future and NBA potential. 

"When that time comes, then I'll focus on it," Christie said. "But right now, staying focused on [the next game] is the main thing."

Christie is trying to "stay in the moment," but that isn't stopping everyone else from wondering what the 2024-25 Golden Gophers basketball team will look like. If everyone returns, the potential is sky-high. But Christie and current junior starters Elijah Hawkins and Dawson Garcia might not be back. 

That's just a fact of the situation, one that's even more apparent since Christie's older brother, Max Christie, was one-and-done at Michigan State before the Lakers drafted him two years ago. 

The scouting report on Christie from Fan Nation's Draft Digest calls him a "potential" second-round pick in 2024. His brother was a second-round pick (35th overall) in 2022.

Christie has size, length and a shooting stroke that is among the finest in the country. And the fact that he's still only 18 years old means his potential is off-the-charts high. 

He's been especially good over his last 10 games, averaging 15 points while knocking down 27-of-60 shots from 3-point range (45%). 

If Christie returns next season the Gophers will have one of the best guards in the Big Ten. If he doesn't, it'll leave a glaring scoring hole. And that hole gets even bigger if Garcia and/or Hawkins decide to go pro. 

Garcia and Christie account for 35.3% of Minnesota's points this season, so losing one or both would be crushing to the 2024-25 outlook. 

"I've just been focused on the season. I do have an extra year of eligibility so there's definitely a possibility that I could use that," Garcia said Tuesday. "It's really just going to be a decision – I'll make it quick in the spring – because whatever I want to do I want to be fully committed to. But yeah, that's where I'm at."

Hawkins echoed Garcia's thoughts: "Same. Just trying to focus on the rest of the season and that'll take place when it's time."

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Cam Christie / Photo by Kelly Hagenson, University of Minnesota