Former Gophers guard Cam Christie, an All-Big Ten freshman last season, will remain in the NBA draft and not return to college, a person familiar with his plans confirmed Wednesday.
Goodbye college: Former Gophers guard Cam Christie sticks with NBA draft plan
Cam Christie is sticking with his plan to enter the NBA draft. The former Gophers guard had previously kept his options open.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
May 29, 2024 at 5:00PM
Christie, who is projected to be a late first round to middle second round pick, declared for the draft in April before entering the transfer portal before it closed on May 1.
The 6-6 guard had the option of coming back to the Gophers or playing elsewhere for his sophomore year. But Christie kept his name in the NBA draft with the early entry deadline Wednesday.
“It has always been a dream of mine to make it to the NBA,” Christie said on social media after declaring for the draft on April 12. “I am grateful for this opportunity.”
The former four-star recruit out of Rolling Meadows in Arlington Heights, Ill., averaged 11.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and shot 39% from three-point range for Minnesota last season.
Starting in 26 games for the Gophers, Christie had a season-high 23 points at Illinois and was the first Gophers player to earn All-Big Ten freshman honors since 2017.
Gophers coach Ben Johnson said earlier this spring that he appreciated Christie for his mature approach about focusing on the team and not his NBA goals during the season.
“[Christie] wasn’t your typical 18-year-old freshman,” Johnson said. “He had some maturity to him. He’s got a process to him and how he goes through his process every day. What he was able to do this year didn’t really surprise anybody in the building.”
Christie was one of the 78 players invited to the NBA draft combine in Chicago earlier this month, but Christie only participated in the drills and interviews. His stock continues to grow while working out with his trainer in New York.
In the latest ESPN draft rankings, Christie’s rated as the No. 34 prospect overall. Christie’s older brother, Max Jr., was drafted after his freshman year at Michigan State by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round in 2022.
Daniel Oturu was the last Gophers player drafted when he was selected in the second round by the Minnesota Timberwolves and traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2020.
Christie’s official departure means the Gophers lost three starters and seven players from their 19-win NIT team last season, including point guard Elijah Hawkins (Texas Tech) and big man Pharrel Payne (Texas A&M). Johnson, who signed five transfers this spring, still returns leading scorer Dawson Garcia, sharpshooting guard Mike Mitchell Jr. and sixth man Parker Fox.
Minnesota, ranked fourth, ended Minnesota Duluth's four-game winning streak.
