The Gophers men’s basketball program picked up a commitment Wednesday from Parker Jefferson. Minnesota had a glaring lack of a big man in its recruiting class for next season, and the 6-foot-9 post player fills it in a big way. Jefferson, a three-star recruit from Waxahachie, Texas, picked Minnesota over Southern California. He recently visited both schools. “The feel that I got as soon as I stepped on campus,” Jefferson told Tipton Edits in his commitment video. “You can’t fake realness and you can’t fake genuine vibes. How they think I can come in and be an impact freshman and be in a situation where I feel I am wanted and can develop as a player.” Jefferson, who is playing this season at Inglewood (Calif.) High School, is considered a top 170 player in the nation, according to 247 Sports’ composite ranking. Growing up in the Dallas area, he had other offers from Iowa, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Central Florida, Oklahoma State and others. Jefferson is the third commitment in the 2025 recruiting class, joining a pair of guards in Jacob Ross and Kai Shinholster. Related Articles College Sports | Gophers turn to true freshman Isaac Asuma to help finish off Cleveland State College Sports | Men’s basketball: Gophers overcome another slow start, outlast Yale College Sports | Gophers men’s basketball: Minnesota rallies after slow start but loses to North Texas State College Sports | Injuries piling up for Gophers men’s basketball College Sports | Gophers’ men survive slugfest with Nebraska Omaha