Minnesota Basketball: Gophers land transfer Drew Peterson

Minnesota basketball has been one of the biggest winners of the transfer portal this offseason. The Gophers also just landed another steal in Drew Peterson.

The transfer portal has increased in prevalence with each offseason in recent years and taking advantage by adding experienced talents is a strong way for a team to build depth. The transfer market can be very tricky to navigate, though, and teams often miss on far more targets than they hit. That is what has made Minnesota basketball’s offseason so impressive. Even though the Gophers have missed on some of their top priorities, they have landed three high-profile transfers that all project as solid contributors at the Big Ten level.

Rice’s Drew Peterson is the most recent transfer addition for Minnesota’s roster and he could be the swiss-army-knife piece that the program needs in the rotation. At 6-foot-8, Peterson brings plenty of size to the wing and he can be asked to play a variety of roles. He exhibits a quick trigger from beyond the arc, can attack the basket, boasts excellent playmaking skills at his size, and rebounds very well for his position. While he is not well-known as a defensive stopper, there is the potential for him to cover multiple spots with the right development.

Peterson only just finished his sophomore season with Rice, so he is currently listed as a sit-one, play-two transfer (though it is possible that he could play right away next season if the one-time transfer waiver rule is passed). Over the course of this past campaign, he put up averages of 11.1 points (.411/.328/.824), 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. While he was not the most efficient shooter, Peterson definitely popped on the floor for the Owls last season as one of the primary offensive threats. He made his impact in just about every facet of the game.

Peterson is a very skilled wing player but he is not particularly physical. His strength is perhaps the biggest question mark surrounding how he will be able to perform at the Big Ten level, especially with regard to his attacking of the basket. No matter what, though, Peterson should be able to use his 6-foot-8 frame to create space from beyond the arc and he often keeps defenders off balance with his change-of-pace moves rather than straight-line driving. That should translate.

In terms of his fit with Minnesota, Peterson should be able to see a major role as soon as he is eligible to take the court. His all-around game fits the mold of someone that can be utilized in a variety of ways while on the court. He can be a focal point of an offense for stretches with his size and playmaking ability or he could be a solid supporting piece thanks to his rebounding and shooting potential.

If he is eligible to play right away during this coming season, he could instantly join Minnesota’s starting lineup and function as the secondary playmaker next to Marcus Carr. If forced to sit out, he could use the year to gain a bit more strength and grow accustomed to playing at the high-major level. Peterson has a high ceiling and his unique style of play makes him intriguing to follow. Minnesota head coach Richard Pitino will have lots of options for how he can deploy Peterson.

It is also important to remember that Peterson is not Minnesota’s only incoming transfer commitment. Even though the Gophers missed on offseason targets such as Justin Kier and Kerwin Walton, they have been one of the biggest “winners” in the entire country with their new additions.

In addition to Peterson, Minnesota was able to secure Liam Robbins (Drake) and Brandon Johnson (Western Michigan). Robbins is widely regarded as the best transfer that was available this offseason while Johnson is fresh off a strong season of his own.

Drew Peterson is the latest transfer addition in what has been a very strong offseason for Minnesota’s coaching staff. While he might not be the highest-rated or most well-known of these newcomers, he is perhaps the most intriguing thanks to his all-around game and style of play at 6-foot-8. He should be an impact wing performer from Day 1 of his eligibility with the program.