Earlier this month, the Minnesota Golden Gophers received exciting news with the addition of Bobby Durkin, a transfer from Davidson. The forward played two seasons at Davidson before entering the transfer portal. He is ranked as a four-star prospect in 247Sports‘ transfer rankings.
Durkin was one of the standout players for Davidson last season. While he showed promise as a freshman, it was his sophomore year that truly saw him break out. He started all 32 games, averaging 13.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Despite the Wildcats not having a stellar season, Durkin emerged as a bright spot, delivering strong performances, including a 20-point, 13-rebound outing against Fordham on the road in late February.
However, with Minnesota’s roster and coaching changes, it’s unclear exactly how Durkin will fit into the lineup next season. He proved to be a solid player at the mid-major level and a reliable shooter from the perimeter, but the challenge will be whether he can replicate those numbers at a higher level or take on a more specialized role with the Gophers. The most likely scenario seems to be the latter, especially given his perimeter skills. If Durkin had played fewer minutes at Davidson, his efficiency might have been higher, which is likely what Minnesota head coach Niko Medved is hoping for with the forward.
This is what Medved has said publicly about Durkin:
“Bobby is a phenomenal shooter with great size and length,” Medved said. “He’s a versatile player who can create space and has good floor vision. In addition, his defensive play and rebounding ability really stands out. We’re excited to have Bobby as a Golden Gopher.”
Ultimately, it’s hard to predict exactly how Durkin will perform for the Gophers, but both Medved and fans are surely excited about the potential he brings to the team next season.
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