Cedric Tomes, a three-star point guard from East Ridge High School, committed to the Minnesota Golden Gophers for the 2026 class, choosing his hometown program over offers from Iowa State, Oklahoma, and others. The No. 5 recruit in Minnesota’s 2026 class, Tomes averaged 27.3 points per game as a junior, earning Suburban East Conference Player of the Year honors. His commitment, announced on May 10, 2025, marks the first high school pledge for new coach Niko Medved.
Tomes’ decision followed an unofficial visit where he connected with Medved’s staff and players like freshman Isaac Asuma. “It’s always been a dream to play for Minnesota,” Tomes said. “Coach Medved’s culture and style of play felt right.” He cited the Gophers’ up-tempo system, which suits his scoring and playmaking, and drew inspiration from Medved’s success at Colorado State. Assistant coach Dave Thorson’s longstanding relationship, dating back to Tomes’ first D1 offer, also played a key role.
A dual-sport star, Tomes holds East Ridge records in basketball and excelled as a quarterback. His AAU performances with D1 Minnesota showcased his versatility, drawing comparisons to former Medved protégé Isaiah Stevens. Tomes aims to lead East Ridge in his senior year while building toward a Gophers future alongside Asuma. “It feels great to stay home,” he said, hoping to inspire other in-state recruits.
Sources: minnesota.rivals.com, thedailygopher.com, startribune.com
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