Medved, Gophers land Davidson wing Bobby Durkin in transfer portal

Durkin averaged 13.5 points and six rebounds per game for the Wildcats last season. He's a big addition for Minnesota.

Nov 27, 2024; Paradise Island, Bahamas, BHS; Davidson Wildcats forward Bobby Durkin (2) shoots as Arizona Wildcats guard Anthony Dell'Orso (3) defends during the first half at the Atlantis Resort. | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Niko Medved and the Gophers men's basketball team have struck for a third time in the transfer portal, landing a commitment from Davidson wing Bobby Durkin, the team announced Monday afternoon.

A 6-foot-7 wing from Illinois, Durkin averaged 13.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.3 steals as a sophomore for the Wildcats last season. He started 32 of 33 games and shot 41% from the floor, 36% from 3-point range, and 85% from the free throw line.

“Bobby is a phenomenal shooter with great size and length,” Medved said. “He’s a versatile player who can create space and has good floor vision. In addition, his defensive play and rebounding ability really stands out. We’re excited to have Bobby as a Golden Gopher.”

Durkin joins Colorado State's Jaylen Crocker-Johnson and Cal's B.J. Omot in transferring to Minnesota since Medved was hired. All three are versatile wings at 6-foot-7" or 6-foot-8 who can score, defend, and shoot 35-36% from long range. They'll all be key contributors next season for Medved in his first year as the Gophers' head coach.

Durkin went from Glenbard West High School in the Chicago suburbs to IMG Academy in Florida for one season. He chose Davidson over teams like Georgia Tech, Army, and Wright State in 2023. He averaged 8.5 points per game as a freshman, then took a second-year leap last season. Now he's headed to the Big Ten with two years of eligibility remaining.

Last year, Durkin took nearly eight 3-pointers per game. He hasn't shot it at an elite clip at Davidson, but he has a smooth-looking stroke and the ability to get hot. Durkin shot over 43% from 3 in the first 18 games of last season before going cold and hitting just over 25% of his 3s over the final 15 games. He hit six 3s in a game three different times, including going for a career-high 28 points against Rhode Island in January.

In addition to Durkin, Omot, and Crocker-Johnson, the Gophers have returning players Isaac Asuma and Grayson Grove on their roster, as well as incoming freshman Kai Shinholster. That's six scholarship players, with up to nine spots remaining. Medved and his staff still have plenty of work to do, but this is another big-time addition in the portal.