MINNESOTA'S RECRUITING CLASS

The University of Minnesota Men’s basketball team recruiting class of 2008 includes a son of a former basketball professional. The Gophers have signed Devoe Joseph, Paul Carter, Colton Iverson, Ralph Sampson Jr, and Devron Bostick.

Devoe Joseph is from Ajax Ontario Canada. He is considered one of the top recruits out of Canada. He went to Pickering high school.

Paul Carter is from Little Rock Arkansas. He went to Missouri State West Plains Community College. I got to watch him play when he played at Minneapolis Community College this past season. He was pretty good. He suffered an injury during his season that he had to sit out the second half of the season. He has recovered from that and he should be ready to do by the start of the season.

Colton Iverson is from Yankton South Dakota. I do not know too much about Colton but I have heard from others that he will survive at the University of Minnesota. It will be interesting to see how well this kid can play and if he can play the style of ball Tubby Smith wants him to play.

Ralph Sampson Jr. is from Duluth Georgia. He was also highly recruited to come to the University of Minnesota. His dad was a known as a great basketball player. His dad played in the NBA and was considered a superstar when he played the league. Some basketball insiders are wondering how long his kid will stay in college already. Is he only going to be at the University of Minnesota for all four years or will be get his one year in and become eligible for the NBA draft? We will just have to see what his options are and how good a player he really is. There will be pressure and people comparing him to his dad but it is the sons turn to prove people right or wrong.

Devron Bostick is from Racine Wisconsin. He played his high school ball at ST. Catherine’s high school and then he went on to play at South Western Community College in Illinois.

All of the players that the Gophers have signed have been top players in their high schools or their previous schools. It will interest me to see how these recruits fit into Tubby Smith’s system. I think that Tubby will turn this program around and I also think that this recruiting class will be his true test to see how well a recruiter he is. He was known as a great recruiter when he was coaching in previous coaching jobs. Some college basketball insiders this class to be in the top 10 in the country.