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.
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.”
