GOPHERS ADD VANDERBILT TRANSFER PAYTON WILLIS
April 24, 2018
Minnesota head men's basketball coach Richard Pitino announced Tuesday the addition of former Vanderbilt guard Payton Willis to this season's signing class. The 6-4, 182-pound Willis, a native of Fayetteville, Ark., and graduate of Fayetteville High School, played two seasons with the Commodores.
He will sit out the 2018-19 season due to NCAA transfer rules and will have two years of on-court eligibility with the Maroon and Gold.
"I am extremely excited about the addition of Payton to our team," said Pitino. "He will provide the size and skill to compete in the Big Ten. He's a terrific addition to our program."
Willis appeared in a total of 66 games with Vanderbilt, including 16 as a starter. This past season, he averaged 5.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game, with three games in double figures. His freshman season saw averages of 5.2 points, 1.9 assists and 1.8 rebounds per game, averaging 17.5 minutes per outing and appearing in all 35 of the Commodores' games.
The second-ranked prospect in the state of Arkansas during his senior season, Willis averaged 15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while also shooting 44.7 percent from three in his junior season. He was honored as an all-conference and all-state selection as a sophomore and junior.
With Willis's signing, the Gophers now have two available scholarships for next season. Minnesota will also welcome four newcomers in center Daniel Oturu (Woodbury, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall), forward Jarvis Omersa (Orono, Minn./Orono) and guard Gabe Kalscheur (Edina, Minn./DeLaSalle), along with transfer center Matz Stockman (Oslo, Norway/Louisville), who sat out last season.
April 24, 2018
Minnesota head men's basketball coach Richard Pitino announced Tuesday the addition of former Vanderbilt guard Payton Willis to this season's signing class. The 6-4, 182-pound Willis, a native of Fayetteville, Ark., and graduate of Fayetteville High School, played two seasons with the Commodores.
He will sit out the 2018-19 season due to NCAA transfer rules and will have two years of on-court eligibility with the Maroon and Gold.
"I am extremely excited about the addition of Payton to our team," said Pitino. "He will provide the size and skill to compete in the Big Ten. He's a terrific addition to our program."
Willis appeared in a total of 66 games with Vanderbilt, including 16 as a starter. This past season, he averaged 5.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game, with three games in double figures. His freshman season saw averages of 5.2 points, 1.9 assists and 1.8 rebounds per game, averaging 17.5 minutes per outing and appearing in all 35 of the Commodores' games.
The second-ranked prospect in the state of Arkansas during his senior season, Willis averaged 15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while also shooting 44.7 percent from three in his junior season. He was honored as an all-conference and all-state selection as a sophomore and junior.
With Willis's signing, the Gophers now have two available scholarships for next season. Minnesota will also welcome four newcomers in center Daniel Oturu (Woodbury, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall), forward Jarvis Omersa (Orono, Minn./Orono) and guard Gabe Kalscheur (Edina, Minn./DeLaSalle), along with transfer center Matz Stockman (Oslo, Norway/Louisville), who sat out last season.
