Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Analyzing top 15 players from 2019 recruiting class

By Joey Loose

MARIETTA, GA - MARCH 25: (L-R) Wendell Moore Jr., Isaiah Stewart, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Matthew Hurt pose during the 2019 Powerade Jam Fest on March 25, 2019 in Marietta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images for Powerade)
MARIETTA, GA - MARCH 25: (L-R) Wendell Moore Jr., Isaiah Stewart, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Matthew Hurt pose during the 2019 Powerade Jam Fest on March 25, 2019 in Marietta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images for Powerade) /
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DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 23: Head coach Richard Pitino of the Minnesota Golden Gophers reacts against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 23: Head coach Richard Pitino of the Minnesota Golden Gophers reacts against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

10. Isaiah Ihnen (Minnesota – PF)

Ihnen is a talented 6’9 forward from Germany. There was all kinds of interest for Ihnen, but he committed to Minnesota shortly after visiting the Golden Gophers in April, having previously visited TCU. He put up some solid numbers for the International Basketball Academy of Munich, but how will his game transition to the American level?

He’s an intriguing prospect with solid size, length, and a decent build for a power forward. He possesses good athleticism and can move around the court with ease. He’s shown promise as an outside shooter, but his offensive game is still developing. Physically, he can bring a lot to the game, working both in the interior, exterior, and transition game. His stature gives him the ability to be a solid defensive player, though additional development and technique will help. Like many prospects at the 4, building muscle is a concern, while he also needs more time and practice to tweak parts of his game.

Pitino found a stud in Germany and he figures inevitably to play a role on this Golden Gophers team. With plenty of height already on the roster, Minnesota doesn’t have to depend on Ihnen right off the stretch, giving the German prospect time to develop his size and game. He’s the brightest prospect among the new players on Minnesota’s team and it’ll be interesting to see how he fits onto this roster, especially if he finds his touch from long-range.

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