Gophers' Grayson Grove Thrives After Tough Lessons from Dawson Garcia

Sophomore forward from Alexandria has been instrumental in Minnesota's recent wins after learning from practicing against a top Big Ten player last season.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 1:55am

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Grayson Grove, a sophomore forward for the University of Minnesota men's basketball team, has emerged as a key contributor this season after a humbling experience last year of having to defend star player Dawson Garcia in practice. Despite not playing a single game as a true freshman, Grove learned valuable lessons from the physical matchups with Garcia, who is now in the G-League. Those experiences have helped Grove develop his game, and he has stepped up with increased playing time due to injuries, averaging 12 points and 8 rebounds in recent wins over Oregon and Rutgers.

Why it matters

Grove's growth demonstrates the value of perseverance and learning from challenging experiences, even when playing time is limited. His emergence has been crucial for a Gophers team dealing with injuries, as they prepare to face a formidable frontcourt from conference-leading Michigan.

The details

During his freshman season, Grove was forced to defend Dawson Garcia, a fifth-year senior and one of the Big Ten's top scorers and rebounders, in practice. Though Grove struggled against the more experienced Garcia, he learned valuable lessons about playing physical defense and maintaining confidence. This season, with injuries to Minnesota's front-court starters, the 6-foot-9 Grove has moved into the starting lineup and has been instrumental in the team's recent wins, averaging a double-double. However, he will face another tough test when the Gophers take on Michigan's trio of outstanding big men - Yaxel Lendenborg, Morez Johnson, and Aday Mara - who each average over 11 points and 7 rebounds per game.

  • Last season, Grove did not play in a single game as a true freshman.
  • This season, Grove has moved into Minnesota's starting lineup due to injuries to front-court starters.
  • On February 18 and 21, Grove averaged 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 38 minutes per game in wins over Oregon and Rutgers.

The players

Grayson Grove

A 6-foot-9 sophomore forward for the University of Minnesota men's basketball team who has emerged as a key contributor this season after a humbling experience last year of having to defend star player Dawson Garcia in practice.

Dawson Garcia

A fifth-year senior who was one of the Big Ten's top scorers and rebounders last year and is now a member of the Detroit Pistons' G-League team.

Yaxel Lendenborg

A 6-foot-9 player for the University of Michigan men's basketball team who averages over 11 points and 7 rebounds per game.

Morez Johnson

A 6-foot-9 player for the University of Michigan men's basketball team who averages over 11 points and 7 rebounds per game.

Aday Mara

A 7-foot-3 player for the University of Michigan men's basketball team who averages over 11 points and 7 rebounds per game.

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What they’re saying

“Dawson definitely killed him.”

— Isaac Asuma, Guard (wctrib.com)

“It was definitely hard to keep my confidence up at times, just because (Garcia is) such a good player. But I think that was the best thing for me, going against a guy like that, because you have to move your feet, have to play physical. That's helped me a lot this year.”

— Grayson Grove (wctrib.com)

“He just plays really, really hard; that's a skill. He has a great motor. He competes. He's got an unbelievable attitude.”

— Niko Medved, Head Coach (wctrib.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Grove's perseverance and willingness to learn from tough experiences have helped him develop into a key contributor for the Gophers, demonstrating the value of mental toughness and a strong work ethic, even when playing time is limited.