Minnesota Basketball Offers Pair of In-State 2017 4-Star Guards

Minnesota has joined the running for one of the fastest-rising players in the Class of 2017.

The Gophers extended an offer to Brad Davison on Thursday. A 6'3" guard from Osseo, MN, Davison has been racking up the offers this spring, including from Michigan, Northwestern, Stanford and Wisconsin. Davison has had a great spring and summer for AAU team Howard Pulley, including a strong showing at the high-profile Peach Jam in South Carolina this week. Minnesota coach Rick Pitino and assistants were among the many top-level coaches in attendance at the Peach Jam.

The momentum began this winter when Davison was a second-team all-state selection after a strong junior season for Maple Grove. Davison averaged 21.3 points, 7.5 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game while leading the Crimson to the Class 4A state quarterfinals.

Davison is a knockdown 3-point shooter who can handle the ball from the point guard position. At his size and skill set, Davison should be able to play either guard position in college. He'll also stick his nose in there on the defensive end.

The four-star recruit has begun taking official visits this summer, while 247Sports' Crystal Ball currently gives the Badgers the edge after Davison visited Wisconsin last week. Wisconsin has recruited from Howard Pulley before, as Jordan Taylor, Jared Berggren and Alex Illikainen each played for the program.

The Gophers are also in the midst of recruiting another four-star point guard in Isaiah Washington. The 6'0" Bronx, NY native took an official visit to Minnesota in June.

"I went on an unofficial visit to Minnesota a couple days ago," Washington told Pat Lawless of MADE Hoops in late June. "It was a good visit and I like it out there. It was even better than I expected and it’s a good option for me."

While the Gophers have the edge according to the 247Sports Crystal Ball, Washington is still receiving offers, including a recent one from Texas A&M, and says his recruitment is wide open.

"I’ll look to cut my list of schools sometime during my senior year of high school and move forward from there," Washington, who attends St. Raymond High School for Boys, told MADE Hoops. "After I cut down my list I’ll then look for the best time to make a decision."

Washington told MADE that he will choose a school that feels comfortable on and off the court.

"I just have to feel comfortable and at home with the school I choose," Washington said. "I’d like for the ball to be in my hands and for them to have the same style of play that I have."

The Gophers filled out their 2016-17 scholarships by handing one to senior walk-on Darin Haugh.

"We are extremely excited that Darin Haugh will receive a scholarship for the upcoming season," Pitino said in a press release. "He has been the epitome of an outstanding student-athlete on and off the court the two years he has been here. He is hard-working, loyal and a great teammate."

The redshirt senior from Prior Lake, MN attended Bethany Lutheran College before transferring to Minnesota prior to the 2014-15 season. He sat out 2014-15 due to transfer rules, then appeared in six games for the Gophers last season.

The scholarship became available when Charles Buggs transferred from the program in May.