Why Nolan Groves Should Be a Top Gophers Transfer Portal Priority

It was announced on Friday that former Orono High School standout Nolan Groves intends to enter the transfer portal after just one season at Texas Tech. The Gophers are expected to show interest in the former Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year.

NEWS: Texas Tech guard Nolan Groves intends to enter the transfer portal, his agent Teddy Archer of TAA Sports Agency told @LeagueRDY.

The 6-foot-5 freshman out of Long Lake, Minnesota spent just one season in Lubbock. pic.twitter.com/vL5mrr0cF6
— Sam Kayser (@KayserHoops) April 3, 2026

Groves was originally committed to play college basketball at Yale, but a dominant senior season at Orono reopened his recruitment. He averaged 34.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game, and the big schools came calling.

Niko Medved tried to make a late push in his recruitment after getting hired by the Gophers last offseason, but Texas Tech swooped in with a significant offer. He had 17 rebounds in the Red Raiders' season opener against Lindenwood, but he played just 5.7 minutes per game as a true freshman.

He's now expected to enter the transfer portal after just one season in Lubbock. Medved and the Gophers are expected to pursue Groves this offseason. The Wisconsin Badgers will likely be their top competition, and they also offered him a scholarship last spring as a high school prospect.

You might see just 0.9 points and 1.2 rebounds per game and wonder why Groves should be a priority for the Gophers this offseason. Well, Texas Tech had a loaded roster in 2025-26, and it always seemed unrealistic that he was going to crack the rotation. He's still the dynamic scorer he showed in the 2024-25 high school season.

Adding Groves won't immediately change the trajectory of Minnesota's program and make it a Big Ten title contender next season, but he's the type of player the program needs to add. Listed at 6-foot-5, 205 pounds, he could step in and contribute very early for the Gophers. Whether that's as a starting shooting guard or top option off the bench is for his new team to decide.

There are already numerous Minnesota natives expected to enter the transfer portal, but Groves should be near the top of the Gophers' list. He likely made significant NIL money with the Red Raiders last season, and he's now looking for an opportunity to play. Seeing him join Wisconsin would be poor optics for Medved and the Gophers.

The Gophers are set to have multiple roster spots open heading into transfer portal season. There's no reason why Groves shouldn't be slotted into one of those. It's a no-brainer. Adding Groves to next year's team could be the first step in a successful offseason for Medved and his staff.