University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Gopher Men's Basketball Adds Three to 2026-27 Roster
11/12/2025 2:44:00 PM | Men's Basketball
University of Minnesota head coach Niko Medved has announced the additions of Nolen Anderson (Plymouth, Minn.), Chadrack Mpoyi (Likasi, Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Cedric Tomes (Woodbury, Minn.) to the 2026-27 roster.
Anderson, a 6-foot, 8-inch forward, plays at Wayzata High School and DI Minnesota. Anderson helped lead Wayzata to a Class 4A state championship last season. In that championship game, Anderson scored 24 points, 10 rebounds and two steals. In the 2024-25 season, Anderson ranked second on the Trojans' team in scoring, where he averaged 17.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and hit 90 threes to shoot 43 percent. He enters his senior year with 1,132 career points. With D1 Minnesota this past summer, Anderson turned heads when he helped his team finish as an Adidas 3SSB national runner-up. He was named to the All-Circuit Second Team following that performance. Anderson was also named a Prep Hoops all-state selection. Anderson is the second person in his family to play in a Golden Gopher uniform, as his grandfather, Marlo Miller, played for Minnesota from 1957-60.
"Nolen is a great combination of size and skill," head coach Niko Medved said. He's a big wing that has won at a high level both in high school and in the AAU circuit. He's a great shooter who has continued to improve each year. Nolen plays with a chip on his shoulder and is an outstanding competitor. We're thrilled to have him as a Gopher."
Mpoyi, a 6-foot, 11-inch center from Likasi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, plays in California with Crean Lutheran. Playing only five years of basketball, Mpoyi came to the United States from the Congo and gained attention. He played for All In Elite at the Under Armour Circuit where he played in 11 games and averaged 8.3 points and 6.5 rebounds. He shot 57 percent from the field, had four double-digit point games and two double-digit rebound games. His highest scoring performance came against Atlanta Xpress where he scored 16 points and collected nine rebounds, while he registered 11 points and 11 rebounds vs. Arizona Select. He also helped Crean Lutheran to an ASEC Section 7 championship this past summer.
"Chadrack has an incredible upside, has a great motor and is athletic," Medved said. "One of the first things we noticed was how well he moves for his size and his ability to move his feet and protect the rim. He's only been playing the sport for five years, but we're excited to see what he can do here. Off the court, he's a great young man and fits what we're looking to build here."
Tomes, a 6-foot, 1-inch guard, plays with East Ridge High School and D1 Minnesota. As a junior last year, Tomes averaged 27.2 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game and shot 84 percent from the charity stripe. Tomes set East Ridge's single-game (42) and single-season (735 points) scoring records. He enters his senior year with 1,644 points. Last year, Tomes led the Raptors to a 21-7 record as he was named the Suburban East Conference Player of the Year. Tomes was also a multiple all-conference selection, Prep Hoops all-state honoree and Star Tribune's All-Minnesota boys basketball team. With D1 Minnesota this past summer, Tomes helped his team reach the Adidas 3SSB national title game, finishing as runner-up. A standout athlete, Tomes also plays football for East Ridge.
"Cedric is a versatile point guard who is a true leader and a great decision maker," Medved said. "He's a three-level scorer and understands how to win. Ced continues to improve each year and has really built his game throughout his career. A great athlete from an athletic basketball family, we're really excited to have Ced in the maroon and gold."
Anderson is listed as a four-star recruit by 247Sports, as Tomes and Mpoyi are ranked as three stars.
Anderson, a 6-foot, 8-inch forward, plays at Wayzata High School and DI Minnesota. Anderson helped lead Wayzata to a Class 4A state championship last season. In that championship game, Anderson scored 24 points, 10 rebounds and two steals. In the 2024-25 season, Anderson ranked second on the Trojans' team in scoring, where he averaged 17.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and hit 90 threes to shoot 43 percent. He enters his senior year with 1,132 career points. With D1 Minnesota this past summer, Anderson turned heads when he helped his team finish as an Adidas 3SSB national runner-up. He was named to the All-Circuit Second Team following that performance. Anderson was also named a Prep Hoops all-state selection. Anderson is the second person in his family to play in a Golden Gopher uniform, as his grandfather, Marlo Miller, played for Minnesota from 1957-60.
"Nolen is a great combination of size and skill," head coach Niko Medved said. He's a big wing that has won at a high level both in high school and in the AAU circuit. He's a great shooter who has continued to improve each year. Nolen plays with a chip on his shoulder and is an outstanding competitor. We're thrilled to have him as a Gopher."
Mpoyi, a 6-foot, 11-inch center from Likasi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, plays in California with Crean Lutheran. Playing only five years of basketball, Mpoyi came to the United States from the Congo and gained attention. He played for All In Elite at the Under Armour Circuit where he played in 11 games and averaged 8.3 points and 6.5 rebounds. He shot 57 percent from the field, had four double-digit point games and two double-digit rebound games. His highest scoring performance came against Atlanta Xpress where he scored 16 points and collected nine rebounds, while he registered 11 points and 11 rebounds vs. Arizona Select. He also helped Crean Lutheran to an ASEC Section 7 championship this past summer.
"Chadrack has an incredible upside, has a great motor and is athletic," Medved said. "One of the first things we noticed was how well he moves for his size and his ability to move his feet and protect the rim. He's only been playing the sport for five years, but we're excited to see what he can do here. Off the court, he's a great young man and fits what we're looking to build here."
Tomes, a 6-foot, 1-inch guard, plays with East Ridge High School and D1 Minnesota. As a junior last year, Tomes averaged 27.2 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game and shot 84 percent from the charity stripe. Tomes set East Ridge's single-game (42) and single-season (735 points) scoring records. He enters his senior year with 1,644 points. Last year, Tomes led the Raptors to a 21-7 record as he was named the Suburban East Conference Player of the Year. Tomes was also a multiple all-conference selection, Prep Hoops all-state honoree and Star Tribune's All-Minnesota boys basketball team. With D1 Minnesota this past summer, Tomes helped his team reach the Adidas 3SSB national title game, finishing as runner-up. A standout athlete, Tomes also plays football for East Ridge.
"Cedric is a versatile point guard who is a true leader and a great decision maker," Medved said. "He's a three-level scorer and understands how to win. Ced continues to improve each year and has really built his game throughout his career. A great athlete from an athletic basketball family, we're really excited to have Ced in the maroon and gold."
Anderson is listed as a four-star recruit by 247Sports, as Tomes and Mpoyi are ranked as three stars.
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