Gophers Bring On In-State Guard, Ex-Student Manager as Walk-On

The Gophers men’s basketball program announced Thursday that Minnesota native RJ Spencer has joined the roster as a walk-on for the 2025–26 season. Spencer, a 6’3” senior guard from Blaine, is double-majoring in biology and communications and will graduate next year.

Spencer is no stranger to the program. After starring at Totino-Grace High School, where he helped lead the Eagles to their first-ever Class 3A state championship in 2022, he enrolled at Minnesota and served as a student manager during the 2022–23 season under then-head coach Ben Johnson. Since then, he has continued his involvement in basketball as a trainer with Midwest Basketball Training and as a coach with the Northstar Titans AAU program, the same program he once played for.

 

 

 

 

A multi-sport athlete in high school, Spencer also competed as a wide receiver and captain of the football team while playing on the golf squad. Now, he’s earned the opportunity to contribute on the court, filling the roster spot previously held by walk-on Erick Reader. According to the team, Reader, a 6’8” junior forward from Bloomington, “has decided to focus on his academic career.” He appeared in three games across two seasons. “Gopher men’s basketball would like to thank Erick for all his contributions to the program,” the release stated.

Spencer joins a 15-player roster for new head coach Niko Medved’s debut season at Minnesota. The full roster, listed alphabetically, includes:

• Isaac Asuma, 6’3” sophomore guard

• Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, 6’8” junior forward (Colorado State)

• Bobby Durkin, 6’7” junior forward (Davidson)

• Maximus Gizzi, 6’1” fifth-year guard

• Grayson Grove, 6’9” redshirt freshman forward

• Max Lorenson, 6’2” freshman guard

• BJ Omot, 6’8” redshirt junior forward (Cal)

• Langston Reynolds, 6’4” senior guard (Northern Colorado)

• Kai Shinholster, 6’5” freshman guard

• RJ Spencer, 6’3” senior guard

• Chance Stephens, 6’3” redshirt junior guard (Maryland)

• Nehemiah Turner, 6’10” sophomore forward (Central Arkansas)

• Cade Tyson, 6’7” senior guard/forward (UNC)

• Robert Vaihola, 6’8” redshirt senior forward (San Jose State)

• Chansey Willis Jr., 6’2” junior guard (Western Michigan)

 

 

 

 

With a mix of returning players, transfers, and now a walk-on guard who’s taken a unique path back onto the court, the Gophers enter Medved’s first season with both experience and fresh energy.

Source: SI.com