Big Ten Basketball: Analyzing each program’s 2020 recruiting classes

Minnesota Golden Gophers: No. 8 Big Ten, No. 49 Nation

Martice Mitchell 6’10 / 190 C:

The upside for Coach Richard Pitino is that the three-star center is going to get a lot better. During his senior year at Bloom High School, due to the talent on the team, Mitchell was not called upon to be a high volume scorer.  He was seldom in a position where he needed to create his own shot but finished many opportunities. Even at 6’10, when caught in a switch off the screen, he can keep the ball handler in front of him.

Jamal Mashburn Jr 6’0 / 160 PG:

Some outlets bestow the title of ‘combo guard’ unto Mashburn Jr, but at 6’0 he will be restricted to point guard in the Big Ten. That, however, will not prevent him from rebounding at a much higher level than one would expect. With him on the court, Minnesota Basketball will have a higher pace of play as he will push the ball up the floor via the dribble or pass. His ball-handling skills are at a level that he will not need a screen to break defenders off the dribble. While he is able to get to the basket, he prefers to stop and pop once he gets into the painted area.

David Mutaf 6’5 /190 CG:

The Turkish born combo guard will be 19 years of age with a ton of international experience when he arrives in Minneapolis. He averaged 17.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, and 3.9 apg in the Turkish U19 league. The lefty combines great ball-handling in the open court and in traffic. His court vision allows him to make the proper pass when he draws the attention of the defense. When he is not handling the ball he prefers to spot up in the corner, but he can hit a three from anywhere.