5/20 Minnesota Golden Gophers Recruiting Update: Teams Adds Walk-On, Offers 2017 Forward

Minnesota will add hometown flavor to their 2016-17 men's basketball roster with the addition of Brady Rudrud.

The 6-foot-3 Eden Prairie native, who had previously committed to St. Thomas (MN), will walk on at Minnesota this fall.

Rudrud averaged 13.3 points per game this winter, leading Eden Prairie to an unlikely trip to the Class 4A state tournament. The Eagles went .500 during the regular season but reached state after Rudrud put together a 23-point, 12-rebound outing in the sectional semifinals.

The Eagles lost in the state quarterfinals, but Rudrud made an impression, scoring 30 points in the losing effort.

In an interview with GopherHole.com, Rudrud said that the Gophers originally contacted him about a month ago. In that same interview, Rudrud said that Minnesota offers a good mix of academics and athletics, and an opportunity to suit up for his hometown team.

Rudrud is the third Minnesota native set to join the Gophers this fall, along with Amir Coffey (Hopkins, MN) and Michael Hurt (Rochester, MN). Eric Curry, of Arkansas, is the final member of Minnesota's 2016 class.

The Gophers were hoping to add Jordy Tshimanga to that group, but the 6'11" center committed to Nebraska on Monday. The three-star recruit, a Montreal native who attended the MacDuffie School in Massachusetts, had visited Minnesota in April.

Minnesota Offers 2017 Forward Lance Thomas

Minnesota went right back on the hunt for a big man, making an offer in the class of 2017. Coach Richard Pitino and the Gophers offered Lance Thomas, a 6'10" forward from Norcross, GA, on Tuesday.

At his size, Thomas offers versatility with his outside shooting and ballhandling ability.

Thomas, who is listed as a three-star prospect by most recruiting websites, has received offers from a number of high Division 1 programs, including from the University of Oklahoma on Wednesday.

Minnesota and Rutgers are the first Big Ten schools to offer Thomas.

Thomas would be a welcome addition after the Gophers lost out on another promising 2017 forward this week.

Minnesota native Nathan Reuvers, a 6'10" power forward in the class of 2017, gave a verbal commitment to the University of Wisconsin on Wednesday.

The Gophers had an offer out to Reuvers, who averaged about 20 points, eight rebounds and four blocks at Lakeville North (MN) this season.