Coffey is the second Minnesotan to commit to Pitino in the previous year .
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The 6-foot-7 shooting guard is the top-rated player in Minnesota’s Class of 2016 and he’s the top target for Gophers coach Richard Pitino.
Coffey’s father played for Clem Haskins at Minnesota from 1986-90.
Texas appeared to be the biggest threat to Minnesota to get Coffey, but he canceled his official trip to Austin.
“They’re always talking to me about how they would play me with a young team”, Coffey said this offseason. “He also bought into what Coach Pitino told him about them forming not only a strong relationship, but a partnership”.
Amir Coffey flips the ball to a teammate during a Howard Pulley practice at High Performance Academy in Eagan, Thursday May 22, 2014. Some programs wanted him to play forward because of his height.
An important step in the process was making sure Coffey knew he would be playing guard.
In college basketball recruiting, the phrase “package duo” is thrown around excessively, but in the case of New Orleans natives De’Jon Jarreau and Brison Gresham, it actually applies. His passing and court vision is exceptional, and he can also make scoring plays not only in transition but within the halfcourt offense. He will provide excellent defensive versatility as well, because he can defend all three perimeter positions and can switch at end-of-clock situations.
Who he reminds us of: Coffey brings to mind former Michigan star and National Basketball Association guard Jalen Rose because he is a long, lean, lefty playmaker with tremendous versatility.
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Coffey would be the highest-rated recruit to commit to the Gophers – and play for the Gophers – since Kris Humphries in 2003, Ryan James of GopherIllustrated.com told the Pioneer Press. On Monday Pitino got a huge commitment for the 2016 recruiting class, and kept a significant in-state prospect from going elsewhere, with Amir Coffey’s announcement that he will be a Gopher.
