Joe Coleman transfers to St. Mary’s from Gophers

Feb. 6, 2013; East Lansing, MI, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Joe Coleman (11) stands on the court against the Michigan State Spartans during 2nd half at Jack Breslin Students Events Center. MSU won 61-50. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Former Hopkins High School standout and 2011 Mr. Basketball, Joe Coleman, will transfer to Saint Mary’s of the West Coast Conference. Coleman was granted a release by the Gophers in mid-May.

Coleman, a rising junior, was a three-star recruit out of high school and had offers from Iowa State, Seton Hall and Creighton, but Saint Mary’s was not one of the half-dozen teams.

He averaged 8.7 points and 3.6 rebounds for Minnesota in his sophomore season. During the 15-1 run by the Gophers from November to December last year, Coleman was a significant factor in the team’s success. His highlight of the 2012-13 season was a 29-point performance against then-No. 12 Illinois which was also Minnesota’s 15th win of the season.

Coleman will likely have to sit out a year per NCAA transfer rules, but expect him to start as soon as he becomes eligible for the Saint Mary’s Gaels.

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