Eric Curry's playing days were finished. He was ready to work for the Gophers men's basketball team as a graduate assistant this fall.
Gophers' Eric Curry pauses graduate assistant coaching plan to play basketball one more season
Curry was ready to take on a graduate assistant role, but he is returning to play for a sixth season.
July 7, 2021 at 5:24AM
But after a change of heart, Curry announced Tuesday on Instagram that he will return to play a sixth season for the Gophers. His coaching career can wait.
"Let's have one last dance, Gopher fans," Curry wrote on Instagram.
The 6-9 Curry has played three seasons with the Gophers and missed two with knee injuries. He can play next season because the NCAA is allowing all student-athletes another year of eligibility after the pandemic disrupted their seasons last school year.
Curry went to new Gophers coach Ben Johnson with the idea of playing another season last Friday. After the holiday weekend, the team was ready to make it official.
"I'm so incredibly excited for Eric," Johnson said in a statement. "I'm happy with how he is feeling physically first and foremost, and that he is hungry to compete and lead for one more year. I know he is pumped to be able to wear the Maroon and Gold and we are just as thrilled to have him back with us."
Curry will get another chance to play with his best friend, Payton Willis, who transferred back to Minnesota from the College of Charleston.
Curry averaged 3.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per game last season. He was mostly used in a reserve role behind former center Liam Robbins but started eight games.
The Gophers quarterback believed in himself, and his transfer to the U has led to a winning record this season.
