North Dakota player of the year to visit Gophers next week

Minnesota is exptected to host a talented 6'10" center from the class of 2025.

Feb 22, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Ben Johnson walks down the sidelines during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Reigning North Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year Tommy Ahneman is expected to make an unofficial visit to the Minnesota Golden Gophers on June 5, according Gophers insider Ryan James.

NEWS: 2023-24 ND Gatordate POTY Tommy Aheman (@TommyAhneman) will unofficially visit the #Gophers next Wednesday on June 5, per @247Sports

6-foot-10 center has not been officially offered by UMN. Holds other top offers from Iowa, Penn St and UND. pic.twitter.com/9eSytmBQ6h

— Tony Liebert (@TonyLiebert) May 31, 2024

Hailing from Fargo, North Dakota, Ahneman plays his high school ball for West Fargo Sheyenne, where he averaged 20.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game last season as a junior. He plays AAU basketball for Minnesota-based Howard Pulley on the EYBL circuit.

Junior Season highlights (20.3PPG 13.3RPG 2.1BPG) - https://t.co/mR7S3vCvay

— Tommy Ahneman (@TommyAhneman) March 14, 2024

So far this spring, he has picked up offers from Iowa, Penn State and Old Dominion; joining a list that already included Furman, North Dakota, Montana and Weber State. The Gophers have not yet offered him, but they will have him on campus next week for an unofficial visit.

With no 2025 high school prospect currently committed to the Gophers, adding a player of Ahneman's ilk would make a lot of sense for the 2025-26 team-building strategy. Listed at 6-foot-10, he could begin to help Minnesota build a frontcourt of the future after Dawson Garcia, Parker Fox, Frank Mitchell and Trey Edmonds all graduate after the 2024-25 season.