Minnesota Eyeing Versatile Transfer Isaiah Johnson-Arigu

The former Totino-Grace standout could provide the athleticism and two-way play the Gophers need.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:51pm

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Isaiah Johnson-Arigu, a Minnesota native who spent one season at St. Thomas after transferring from Miami and Iowa, has entered the transfer portal. The 6-foot-7 forward could be an ideal fit for the Gophers, who need more versatile wing players to complement their roster.

Why it matters

The Gophers struggled with athleticism and depth on the wing during their NCAA Tournament loss to Baylor. Johnson-Arigu's combination of size, skill, and defensive versatility could address those needs and provide a boost to Minnesota's roster.

The details

Johnson-Arigu was a four-star recruit out of Totino-Grace High School in 2024, holding offers from Minnesota and other major programs before signing with Miami. After transferring to Iowa and then St. Thomas, he emerged as one of the top reserves in the Summit League, averaging 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game.

  • Johnson-Arigu entered the transfer portal on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.
  • He spent the 2024-25 season at Miami before transferring to Iowa midway through the year.
  • Johnson-Arigu played the 2025-26 season at St. Thomas.

The players

Isaiah Johnson-Arigu

A 6-foot-7 forward who was a four-star recruit out of Totino-Grace High School in Minnesota and has since played at Miami, Iowa, and St. Thomas.

Jim Larrañaga

The former head coach at Miami, who announced his retirement midway through the 2024-25 season, leading to Johnson-Arigu entering the transfer portal.

Fran McCaffery

The former head coach at Iowa, who was fired after the 2024-25 season, leading to Johnson-Arigu transferring again.

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What’s next

The Gophers will need to evaluate Johnson-Arigu's fit and potential impact on their roster as they look to bolster their wing depth for the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

Johnson-Arigu's combination of size, athleticism, and defensive versatility make him an intriguing transfer target for the Gophers, who need to add more dynamic wing players to their roster. His fit and potential impact could be a game-changer for Minnesota as they look to build on their recent NCAA Tournament appearance.