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Alexandria Today
By the People, for the People
Gophers MBB Retains Key Players Despite Assistant Coach Departure
Minnesota Gophers basketball team keeps star players Jaylen Crocker-Johnson and Grayson Grove despite losing assistant coach Chad Warner to Clemson.
Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:49am
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A cubist interpretation of the Minnesota Gophers' men's basketball team, highlighting their core players and the transition they face with a coaching change.Alexandria TodayThe Minnesota Gophers men's basketball team will be losing assistant coach Chad Warner, who is departing for Clemson after one season with head coach Niko Medved. However, the Gophers have retained two key players - starting stretch-forward Jaylen Crocker-Johnson and homegrown sophomore Grayson Grove - who have both committed to returning for the 2026-27 season.
Why it matters
Keeping Crocker-Johnson and Grove is a major boost for the Gophers as they look to build on their progress under Medved. Crocker-Johnson was a breakout player this past season, while Grove emerged as a valuable contributor down the stretch. Their return provides stability and continuity as the team transitions with the departure of assistant coach Warner.
The details
Crocker-Johnson, who followed Medved from Colorado State, put up 13.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 three-pointers per game this past season. Grove, a 6'9" stretch big man, played a bigger-than-expected role as a true freshman, averaging 4.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He played especially well down the stretch, averaging 6.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.0 steals over the Gophers' final seven games.
- On March 30, 2026, assistant coach Chad Warner announced he is leaving Minnesota to join the staff at Clemson.
- Also on March 30, 2026, Jaylen Crocker-Johnson and Grayson Grove both announced they will be returning to the Gophers for the 2026-27 season.
The players
Chad Warner
An assistant coach who is leaving the Minnesota Gophers to join the staff at Clemson University.
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson
A starting stretch-forward for the Minnesota Gophers who is returning for his senior season in 2026-27 after averaging 13.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 three-pointers per game this past season.
Grayson Grove
A homegrown sophomore for the Minnesota Gophers who is returning for the 2026-27 season after averaging 4.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game as a true freshman, with strong play down the stretch.
What’s next
The Minnesota Gophers will tip off the first round of the second annual College Basketball Crown Tournament against Baylor on Thursday.
The takeaway
Retaining Crocker-Johnson and Grove provides stability and continuity for the Gophers as they look to build on their progress under head coach Niko Medved, despite the departure of assistant coach Chad Warner to Clemson.
