The Gophers men’s basketball team have had two in-state commitments in the 2026 recruiting class, and on Thursday, the U landed a pledge in a big man from Congo by way of California.

The 6-foot-10, 240-pound center Chadrack Mpoyi gave a verbal commitment to Minnesota after a campus visit to Minneapolis in late August. He is from Likasi, Democratic Republic of Congo and has been playing for Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine Calif., and with All In Elite in the Under Armour Association.

“Next chapter,” Mpoyi wrote in a commitment post on Instagram.

Considered a bruising yet raw player, Mpoyi is the 151st-ranked recruit in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports composite list. He had offers and visits to Oregon State, Utah State and California-Santa Barbara over the last month. He also has reported offers from California, Utah, Stanford, BYU, Loyola Marymount, East Carolina and others.

“Chadrack has only scratched the surface of what he can become,” Crean head coach Austin Loeb said in a statement to OC Sports Zone. “His size, athleticism and natural gifts make him a special player, but what excites me most is his willingness to work, learn and grow. Even more importantly, his faith in Christ shapes who he is and how he carries himself.”

The Gophers’ two local recruits are Nolen Anderson (Wayzata) and Cedric Tomes (East Ridge). Anderson is considered a four-star prospect, while Mpoyi and Tomes have received three stars from 247Sports.

The Gophers men’s basketball team have had two in-state commitments in the 2026 recruiting class, and on Thursday, the U landed a pledge in a big man from Congo by way of California.

The 6-foot-10, 240-pound center Chadrack Mpoyi gave a verbal commitment to Minnesota after a campus visit to Minneapolis in late August. He is from Likasi, Democratic Republic of Congo and has been playing for Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine Calif., and with All In Elite in the Under Armour Association.

“Next chapter,” Mpoyi wrote in a commitment post on Instagram.

Considered a bruising yet raw player, Mpoyi is the 151st-ranked recruit in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports composite list. He had offers and visits to Oregon State, Utah State and California-Santa Barbara over the last month. He also has reported offers from California, Utah, Stanford, BYU, Loyola Marymount, East Carolina and others.

“Chadrack has only scratched the surface of what he can become,” Crean head coach Austin Loeb said in a statement to OC Sports Zone. “His size, athleticism and natural gifts make him a special player, but what excites me most is his willingness to work, learn and grow. Even more importantly, his faith in Christ shapes who he is and how he carries himself.”

The Gophers’ two local recruits are Nolen Anderson (Wayzata) and Cedric Tomes (East Ridge). Anderson is considered a four-star prospect, while Mpoyi and Tomes have received three stars from 247Sports.