The Minnesota Gophers men's basketball team has secured its first transfer portal commitment of the cycle, and it's a story with a strong local flavor. Orono High School alum Nolan Groves is coming home, announcing Wednesday night he will join the Gophers after one season at Texas Tech.

Groves, a 6-foot-5 wing from Long Lake, is a major get for Head Coach Niko Medved. After a decorated high school career where he averaged 34.1 points and 8.5 rebounds to win Minnesota's Gatorade Player of the Year, Groves initially committed to Yale before reopening his recruitment last spring. Despite Medved's efforts then, Groves chose Texas Tech, but the coach's persistence has now paid off a year later.

While his playing time was limited on a Red Raiders squad that reached the NCAA tournament's second round, Groves' path to significant minutes in Minneapolis appears much clearer. The departure of leading scorer Cade Tyson opens a key opportunity on the wing for the Gophers.

This commitment breaks the ice for Minnesota in the transfer portal, filling one of five open scholarships for the 2026-27 roster. For Gophers fans, it's not just a new addition—it's a welcome-home party for one of the state's top recent prospects.