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Malachi Palmer Added to the 2026-27 Gopher Men's Basketball Roster
5/4/2026 10:54:00 AM | Men's Basketball
University of Minnesota men's basketball coach Niko Medved has announced that Malachi Palmer (Harrisburg, Pa.) will join the Golden Gopher program in June. Palmer comes to Minnesota after spending a season at both Villanova and Maryland.
"Malachi is a tough, physical guard that plays with a big motor," Medved said. "With his size, he has great versatility in guarding multiple positions. Offensively, Malachi is a good shooter with the ability to make big-time shots. Playing in the NCAA Tournament last year, he's already had great experience in high-level games. We're looking forward to adding Malachi to the roster."
Palmer, a 6-foot, 6-inch guard played in 33 games with Villanova, including four starts at the end of the season with the Wildcats. Palmer averaged 18.3 minutes and shot 46.6 percent from the field, including 35.9 percent from three in 78 attempts. In his NCAA Tournament start, Palmer had 11 points, including 3-of-5 from three-point range against Utah State. Palmer followed Coach Kevin Willard from Maryland to Villanova after his freshman year. As a Terrapin, Palmer appeared in 22 games to average 8.3 minutes. He scored 36 points during his rookie season, while grabbing 30 total rebounds and dishing and finished the season with a 33.3 field goal percentage.
A former four-star guard, Palmer played two seasons at Mt. Zion Prep and crested the 1,000-point mark as a senior. He also played on the EYBL circuit for Team Melo and NY Renaissance.
2026-27 Gopher Men's Basketball Roster (as of May 4, 2026)
Nolen Anderson, Fr., F, Plymouth, Minn.
Isaac Asuma, Jr., G, Cherry, Minn.
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Sr., F, San Antonio, Texas
Bobby Durkin, Sr., F, Darien, Ill.
Kyan Evans, Sr., G, Kansas City, Mo.
Winters Grady, R-Fr., G, Tualatin, Ore.
Grayson Grove, R-So., F, Alexandria, Minn.
Nolan Groves, So., G, Long Lake, Minn.
Malick Kordel, So., C, Oberhausen, Germany
Max Lorenson, R-Fr., G, Eden Prairie, Minn.
Chadrack Mpoyi, Fr., C, Likasi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Malachi Palmer, Jr., G, Harrisburg, Pa.
Kai Shinholster, So., G, Woolwich, N.J.
Cedric Tomes, Fr., G, Woodbury, Minn.
"Malachi is a tough, physical guard that plays with a big motor," Medved said. "With his size, he has great versatility in guarding multiple positions. Offensively, Malachi is a good shooter with the ability to make big-time shots. Playing in the NCAA Tournament last year, he's already had great experience in high-level games. We're looking forward to adding Malachi to the roster."
Palmer, a 6-foot, 6-inch guard played in 33 games with Villanova, including four starts at the end of the season with the Wildcats. Palmer averaged 18.3 minutes and shot 46.6 percent from the field, including 35.9 percent from three in 78 attempts. In his NCAA Tournament start, Palmer had 11 points, including 3-of-5 from three-point range against Utah State. Palmer followed Coach Kevin Willard from Maryland to Villanova after his freshman year. As a Terrapin, Palmer appeared in 22 games to average 8.3 minutes. He scored 36 points during his rookie season, while grabbing 30 total rebounds and dishing and finished the season with a 33.3 field goal percentage.
A former four-star guard, Palmer played two seasons at Mt. Zion Prep and crested the 1,000-point mark as a senior. He also played on the EYBL circuit for Team Melo and NY Renaissance.
2026-27 Gopher Men's Basketball Roster (as of May 4, 2026)
Nolen Anderson, Fr., F, Plymouth, Minn.
Isaac Asuma, Jr., G, Cherry, Minn.
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Sr., F, San Antonio, Texas
Bobby Durkin, Sr., F, Darien, Ill.
Kyan Evans, Sr., G, Kansas City, Mo.
Winters Grady, R-Fr., G, Tualatin, Ore.
Grayson Grove, R-So., F, Alexandria, Minn.
Nolan Groves, So., G, Long Lake, Minn.
Malick Kordel, So., C, Oberhausen, Germany
Max Lorenson, R-Fr., G, Eden Prairie, Minn.
Chadrack Mpoyi, Fr., C, Likasi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Malachi Palmer, Jr., G, Harrisburg, Pa.
Kai Shinholster, So., G, Woolwich, N.J.
Cedric Tomes, Fr., G, Woodbury, Minn.
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Coach Medved Previews the Crown
Monday, March 30
Highlights: Gophers 67, Rutgers 72
Wednesday, March 11
Play in Focus: Cade Tyson
Tuesday, March 10