Jamison Battle, Gabe Madsen and other Minnesotans to watch in men's college basketball this season

Marcus Fuller has the list of top Minnesotans who left the state to star around the country in college basketball this season.

October 31, 2023 at 11:53PM
Rochester Mayo grad Gabe Madsen was Utah’s second-leading scorer last season. (Young Kwak, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Starting five

Curtis Jones, Iowa State

Former Cretin-Derham Hall guard was an All-Mid-American Conference selection after averaging 15 points, 4.8 rebounds and three assists for Buffalo last season before transferring.

Gabe Madsen, Utah

A Rochester Mayo alum, Madsen finished as the Utes' second-leading scorer with 11.6 points per game while also leading with 62 three-pointers. Had 26 points with seven threes vs. TCU.

Jamison Battle, Ohio State

The ex-DeLaSalle star led the Gophers in scoring in Ben Johnson's first season (2021-22) and averaged 12.4 points with 59 threes in 2022-23 before transferring to the Buckeyes.

Steven Crowl, Wisconsin

The 7-footer from Eagan was one of the most improved players in the Big Ten, averaging 12.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Had career-high 36 points vs. Bradley in the National Invitation Tournament.

Dain Dainja, Illinois

The 6-9, 270-pound ex-Park Center big man averaged 9.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in his first season with the Illini. Shot 63.6% from the field and was second in the Big Ten in two-point percentage.

The next five

J'Vonne Hadley, Colorado: Guard from Cretin-Derham Hall led team with 5.9 rebounds per game last season.

B.J. Omot, North Dakota: The 6-8 sophomore from Mankato East made preseason All-Summit League team.

Francis Nwaokorie, UC San Diego: Former Champlin Park star averaged 12.8 points and 7.1 boards.

Tyler Wahl, Wisconsin: Lakeville North product is Badgers' most experienced player (126 games, 85 starts).

Andrew Morgan, North Dakota State: The Waseca native improved scoring to 10.5 points per game.

Ten others: Prince Aligbe, Boston College; Ben Carlson, Utah; Camden Heide, Purdue; Tre Holloman, Michigan State; Michael Jones, Stanford; Robert Jones, Iowa State; Mason Madsen, Cincinnati; Lu'Cye Patterson, Charlotte; Will Tschetter, Michigan; Kerwin Walton, Texas Tech.

about the writer

about the writer

Marcus Fuller

Reporter

Marcus Fuller covers Gophers men's basketball and college basketball for the Star Tribune. He has 13 years of experience covering Twin Cities college and professional sports. 

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