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.

“Next chapter,” Mpoyi wrote on social media.

Considered a bruising 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, Loyola Marymount and East Carolina.

“C

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