University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Get to Know Men's Basketball's Robert Vaihola
7/29/2025 10:25:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Robert Vaihola, a 6-foot, 8-inch forward/center, joined the Gophers after a stint at San Jose State. Last year, Vaihola started in all 31 games for San Jose State last season, averaging 7.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. He ranked fourth in the Mountain West in rebounds per game and third in offensive rebounds per game (2.48). He also produced a team-best 44 blocks, also ranked fourth in the Mountain West, and recorded four double-doubles last season. Missing the 2023-24 season due to a foot injury, Vaihola came to SJSU in the 2022-23 season, where he played in 35 games and averaged 7.6 points and 6.5 rebounds. Read more about the California native in this question/answer session.
Why Minnesota?
I decided to come to Minnesota to challenge myself at a higher level and be in the Big Ten. Playing for Coach Medved, I felt like he was going to maximize my potential and help me develop as a player and prepare my future.
Talk a bit about that connection with Anthony Holland on the staff.
Anthony was my roommate at Fresno State. I was a freshman, and he was a junior there. He was a captain on the team and one of the leaders. He taught me a lot coming into college, so it's been huge having him there for me at Fresno and now at Minnesota. That's my brother for sure.
When did you start playing basketball and did you play any other sports growing up?
I started playing basketball in first grade. Baseball was my first sport growing up. I thought baseball was going to be my path, but in my freshman year in high school, I met my first AAU coach and swayed me to basketball and started putting my focus there.
When did you know you could play at the next level?
Probably my sophomore year of high school. I got in shape and after my freshman year I really started focusing on that. I didn't know if I was ready at the time, but it was right around there that I thought it could be a possibility.
Tell us a bit about your family, how many siblings and where do you fall in the family.
There are six in my family and I'm the fourth. My twin sisters are younger than me and I have two older brothers and an older sister. My parents and family are super tight-knit.
You earned a degree from San Jose State. What was your degree in and what interests you about that.
I graduated with a communications degree. I started in business and finance, but changed majors just because it covers a variety of areas I'm interested in. I'm not sure exactly what I want to do with it, but it was a good fit for me.
You played against Niko's team when at San Jose State, what did you take away from their team as an opponent?
His teams play very sharp and very unselfish. That's a huge reason as to why I came here. The way they run things in systems is very organized and sharp. The guys always seem to have a high assist rating. The unselfishness is very clear when you're watching his teams.
What's something you've taken away from this coaching staff so far here in summer camp.
Attention to detail is at a different level than anything I've ever experienced. We pay attention to everything, no matter how big or small it is on the court. That's something I've really picked up on for sure. It's contagious.
What are you most looking forward to this upcoming year?
Playing in the Barn! Big crowds, getting the fans involved, I'm really excited about that.
Favorite Food: Anything Mexican: tacos, burritos, I mix it up.
Three apps you visit most on your phone: Instagram, photos app, messages
Best place you've visited: Spain. Granada, Melilla. One of my best friends at Fresno State was from Spain so I went and visited him.
Favorite thing to do: Explore and be outside. Every day I try and get out on a trail on a Lime bike and go on an adventure, either on a trail or to like Minnehaha Falls and parks.
I decided to come to Minnesota to challenge myself at a higher level and be in the Big Ten. Playing for Coach Medved, I felt like he was going to maximize my potential and help me develop as a player and prepare my future.
Talk a bit about that connection with Anthony Holland on the staff.
Anthony was my roommate at Fresno State. I was a freshman, and he was a junior there. He was a captain on the team and one of the leaders. He taught me a lot coming into college, so it's been huge having him there for me at Fresno and now at Minnesota. That's my brother for sure.
When did you start playing basketball and did you play any other sports growing up?
I started playing basketball in first grade. Baseball was my first sport growing up. I thought baseball was going to be my path, but in my freshman year in high school, I met my first AAU coach and swayed me to basketball and started putting my focus there.
When did you know you could play at the next level?
Probably my sophomore year of high school. I got in shape and after my freshman year I really started focusing on that. I didn't know if I was ready at the time, but it was right around there that I thought it could be a possibility.
Tell us a bit about your family, how many siblings and where do you fall in the family.
There are six in my family and I'm the fourth. My twin sisters are younger than me and I have two older brothers and an older sister. My parents and family are super tight-knit.
You earned a degree from San Jose State. What was your degree in and what interests you about that.
I graduated with a communications degree. I started in business and finance, but changed majors just because it covers a variety of areas I'm interested in. I'm not sure exactly what I want to do with it, but it was a good fit for me.
You played against Niko's team when at San Jose State, what did you take away from their team as an opponent?
His teams play very sharp and very unselfish. That's a huge reason as to why I came here. The way they run things in systems is very organized and sharp. The guys always seem to have a high assist rating. The unselfishness is very clear when you're watching his teams.
What's something you've taken away from this coaching staff so far here in summer camp.
Attention to detail is at a different level than anything I've ever experienced. We pay attention to everything, no matter how big or small it is on the court. That's something I've really picked up on for sure. It's contagious.
What are you most looking forward to this upcoming year?
Playing in the Barn! Big crowds, getting the fans involved, I'm really excited about that.
Favorite Food: Anything Mexican: tacos, burritos, I mix it up.
Three apps you visit most on your phone: Instagram, photos app, messages
Best place you've visited: Spain. Granada, Melilla. One of my best friends at Fresno State was from Spain so I went and visited him.
Favorite thing to do: Explore and be outside. Every day I try and get out on a trail on a Lime bike and go on an adventure, either on a trail or to like Minnehaha Falls and parks.
Gophers Visit the State Fair
Tuesday, September 02
Gophers on Lake Minnetonka
Monday, August 04
Coach Medved Recaps Summer Workouts
Thursday, July 31
Coach Medved on BTN
Thursday, July 10