College Basketball: Minnesota Golden Gopher's Blue Chip Recruits 2008

You can't blame Golden Gopher coach Tubby Smith for being a little bit giddy about his latest recruiting class, as the class of 2008-09 will bring to Minnesota a level of talent that would be the envy of any Big Ten basketball program. The recruiting class is anchored by super blue chip prospect Ralph Sampson III. Ralph, the product of an All-Star NBAer, blossomed over the summer, and seems to a sky-high ceiling of potential. It is potential that should fit in nicely with what Smith has in mind for the future of his club. In all the class of 2008-09 has so far netted the following bona fide blue chip prospects.

Ralph Sampson III
Built along the lines of his famous father, Ralph Sampson III, comes equipped with an athletic lanky physique that makes him an agile shot blocker and rebounder. The 6-11, 220-lb Sampson, who average 5 block shots and 10 boards a game as a junior, has upped his performance level this season averaging over 23 points and close to 7 block shots a game this season for Northview team in Deluth Georgia. The gifted Sampson has honed his considerable skills in the summer playing for the Georgia Stars, a top rated AAU team.

Colton Iverson
Another big body and AAU standout signing on with the Golden Gopher is 6-10, 240-lb center/forward Colton Iverson. This South Dakota product can score and rebound with the best of them, and is coming off a summer where he led his team to the championship of the Hoosier Shootout AAU Tournament, where scored 28 points and pulled down 16 rebounds in the title game. It was a performance that gave him the MVP award for the tournament. Though he needs to show that he can be a little bit more aggressive on offense, his size alone will make his presence felt on defense. Iverson who was named to the All-State team in junior year, when he average 15 points and 10 rebounds per game and 2.6 blocks per game, was heavily recruited by many big name schools including Iowa, Kentucky, UCLA and Florida. Florida's coach Billy Donovan was impressed enough with the kid to visit him in person in Yankton South Dakota.