Joey King, a class of 2012 recruit from Eastview, will transfer to the Gophers this upcoming season.
The power forward who played the previous season for Drake, will be seeking a waiver to play right away, according to the Pioneer Press.
The 6-foot-9, 219 pound product out of Eagan, Minn. averaged 6.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in his freshman season and was rewarded with a spot on the Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman Team.
News of King’s decision to leave Drake was announced in early May and it came as a surprise said Drake’s head coach, Ray Giacoletti.
"Giacoletti said King’s decision, made just as the school year is wrapping up, was a surprise. And it doesn’t leave the coaching staff much chance of landing a quality replacement before next season."
Giacoletti, like Gophers head coach Richard Pitino, is entering his first year of head coaching his new team.
King was not a nationally ranked player out of high school and only garnered offers from Drake and Santa Clara while drawing interest from major schools including Colorado State, Indiana and Wisconsin.
Since high school, King has grown two inches and has put on more than 30 pounds to his frame, which will become even more important as he looks to play in the Big Ten.
King would give Pitino a Minnesota player on next season's roster. He had none after Joe Coleman transferred. Having a local kid means a lot
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) June 2, 2013
King will receive a scholarship and his addition to the roster will be a big boost for the Gophers if he can play right away.
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