For years, the narrative surrounding Minnesota basketball has echoed with a familiar refrain: promising homegrown talent blossoming into national prospects, only to depart the Land of 10,000 Lakes for more established programs. The names are etched in recent memory – Jalen Suggs, Chet Holmgren, and the Jones brothers, Tyus and Tre, all opting for opportunities elsewhere, leaving Gopher fans yearning for a true pipeline of local stars staying home.

Now, with the departure of former head coach and player Ben Johnson and the recent hiring of Niko Medved in March, a new chapter begins for the University of Minnesota basketball program. Medved is quickly assembling his roster, and a significant early victory comes in the form of a commitment from local standout Cedric Tomes. The 2026 point guard from East Ridge High School has pledged to wear the maroon and gold, a decision that Gopher Nation hopes will be the catalyst for a renewed focus on keeping Minnesota’s best basketball talent within state lines.

Tomes’ commitment wasn’t a sudden development. 

Even before his sophomore season, and perhaps earlier, former Gopher assistant coach Dave Thorson had identified Tomes as a player of interest. That early pursuit, coupled with the continued interest from Medved and his new staff, proved crucial. Since Medved’s arrival, multiple Gopher coaches visited Tomes, complementing consistent phone communication. Following a recent victory with his East Ridge squad, Tomes made his announcement, declaring “Staying Home” alongside a photo of himself in a Gophers jersey.

“Can’t wait to build a relationship with Niko,” Tomes stated three weeks prior to his commitment. The return of Thorson to the staff was also a significant factor, building on their existing rapport. Tomes also acknowledged the incoming coaches from Medved’s successful tenure at Colorado State, with whom he had previously communicated. His eagerness to join the program was evident: “I’m just really excited to build a relationship and see where that can go. And get down there and meet Coach Medved, and go see them play this coming fall as well.”

Tomes is a student of the game, and his film study includes former Medved-coached talent Isaiah Stevens, now with the Miami Heat. He admires Stevens’ development under Medved and his Rams staff. “Stevens is just a great point guard to watch and I feel like I can model my game after him. And how he played at the next level. He just contributed to his team’s success and he was always contributing to winning all the time,” Tomes noted.

The accolades speak for themselves. The 6-foot-1 point guard, ranked as the No. 5 player in Minnesota’s 2026 class by 247Sports and a three-star recruit, averaged an impressive 27.3 points per game as a junior, showcasing his prowess as a shooter by hitting over 40 percent from beyond the arc. He even surpassed the 40-point mark on three separate occasions, leading East Ridge to a 21-7 record and earning First Team All-State honors.

Tomes chose the Gophers over offers from a host of programs including Iowa State, Oklahoma, Drake, Bryant, and Northern Iowa. Notably, Minnesota was the first program to extend an offer, a testament to their early belief in his potential, even amidst the coaching transition. His junior season performance also earned him the Suburban East Conference Player of the Year award, as he guided the Raptors to a 19-8 record.

Tomes’ commitment is significant beyond his individual talent. He plays for the D1 Minnesota 17U team, sharing the court with other highly-rated in-state prospects such as Dothan Ijadimbola, Ryan Kreager, and Christian Wiggins (who has committed to Iowa State). 

The fact that Minnesota secured Tomes despite other local talent heading elsewhere offers a glimmer of hope that Medved can build a program that resonates with the state’s top players. The Gophers have also reportedly offered scholarships to Ijadimbola, Kreager, and Jayden Moore, signaling their intent to build a roster with a strong Minnesota foundation.

The signing of Cedric Tomes is more than just the addition of a talented player; it represents a potential shift in the local basketball landscape. It’s a statement that the University of Minnesota, under the leadership of Niko Medved, is serious about prioritizing and securing homegrown talent. Gopher fans will be watching closely, hoping that Tomes’ commitment is the first step in a new era where the state’s brightest basketball stars choose to stay home and build their legacies in the maroon and gold. 

The “Staying Home” declaration from Tomes carries weight, and the hope is that it inspires a new generation of Minnesota basketball prospects to follow suit, reigniting the passion for Gopher basketball with a distinctly local flavor.