Cade Tyson Drawing NBA Draft Buzz After Bounceback Season with Gophers

Tyson has earned his way back into NBA Draft discussions after a great year in Minnesota.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:37pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball player's movements and skills broken down into overlapping planes of vibrant colors, conceptually representing Cade Tyson's rise to NBA Draft prospect.Cade Tyson's dynamic play has earned him a spot on the NBA Draft radar, showcasing the transformative power of the right coaching and system.Chapel Hill Today

Cade Tyson, a former North Carolina player, has worked his way back into being a legitimate NBA Draft prospect after one standout season with the Minnesota Gophers. Tyson averaged 19.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, ranking third in the program's history for total points in a single season. He has earned an invitation to the prestigious Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, a pre-draft event for top college seniors, and was listed among ESPN's top 100 draft prospects.

Why it matters

Tyson's development is a testament to the coaching of Minnesota's Niko Medved, who has a track record of helping players improve and get drafted. Tyson's potential selection would be the first for the Gophers since 2024, and could help Medved in recruiting future transfers looking to boost their draft stock.

The details

After a disappointing 2.6 points per game season at North Carolina, Tyson transferred to Minnesota and flourished under Medved's system. He shot 50% from the field, 41.3% from three, and 82.2% from the free throw line. Tyson's 628 total points rank third-most in a single season in Gophers history.

  • Tyson was invited to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, a pre-draft event, earlier this week.
  • The PIT is set to take place April 15-18.
  • The NBA Draft combine is scheduled for May 10-17.

The players

Cade Tyson

A former North Carolina player who had a standout season with the Minnesota Gophers, averaging 19.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.

Niko Medved

The head coach of the Minnesota Gophers, who has a track record of helping players improve and get drafted, including Nique Clifford and David Roddy.

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What’s next

Tyson will look to continue impressing scouts at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in mid-April, and then the NBA Draft combine in May, as he aims to hear his name called in the 2026 NBA Draft in late June.

The takeaway

Cade Tyson's remarkable turnaround season at Minnesota has put him firmly on the NBA Draft radar, showcasing the impact a player can have by transferring to the right program and developing under the right coaching staff. His potential selection would be a significant milestone for the Gophers basketball program.