Moments ago, Minnesota received a commitment from Philadelphia guard Kai Shinhoslter who visited the Gophers over the weekend. Shinholster said the following with his announcement:

“Beyond Blessed to announce my commitment to the University of Minnesota! I want to thank all the coaches and people in my life that have helped me get to this point. I want to give a special thanks to my family for sticking by my side. Go Gophers!”

Shinholster also spoke to 247 Sports/GI about his commitment. 

“I chose Minnesota because of my overall experience when I was out there on my visit,” Kai said. “When I was out there I had a checklist in my mind of what I wanted to see from them. The first thing was I wanted to know what Minnesota was. I had never been up there so I had no clue if it was cornfields or whatever. When I went out there I loved the city of Minneapolis and I loved the campus. It was an amazing all-around feel for both the campus and the city.

“Then it was my feel for the team and coaching staff. I got a great vibe from the guys. They all seem to have the same priorities and interests as me. They really made me feel wanted. Those were some of the main things that helped me make my decision.”

GI spoke to Kai about his visit earlier this week. 

“The visit was amazing!” Shinholster said.  “I had a chance to be around the players and be around the coaches.  I was very comfortable with them all.  The facilities were one of a kind I feel like, I just really enjoyed myself out there and had a great time. The highlight of the trip was definitely the football game. That atmosphere was crazy.  I know they couldn’t get the win but it was definitely something that I don’t normally see. Also, just being around the guys on the team.  Just getting the feel for how much they like each other and how much they mess with each other.  I feel like I could really fit in there.  Those were the two big highlights for me.

“The entire coaching staff, they have pretty much been recruiting me all together.  Coach Marcus Jenkins, Coach Jason Kemp and Coach Ben Johnson.  They are the main ones that have been recruiting me. I am just very comfortable with that staff. They made it seem like they really really wanted me. Which I am very comfortable with.”

This summer the Gophers saw 6’5 combo guard Kai Shinholster at the Adidas events and offered him a scholarship.  Shinholster joined fellow 2025s Tommy Ahneman and Amari Allen on the visit to Minnesota the day the football team played North Carolina on national TV and overall it was a great experience.

Shinholster continued to say the following about his commitment today. 

“They had me out there on the very first weekend and it truly made me feel wanted and welcome.  They were late to my recruitment, they came around in July. Since then they were persistent, consistent, and got to know me and my family. That stood out to me. It showed how much they really wanted me to be a part of the program. They didn’t wait when they saw me and offered me right away. From my side I knew I wanted to be there so I didn’t wait to commit.

“This situation kind of works out perfectly for me,” he said. “This season they have seven seniors. When I get there next season they’ll be starting over a little bit. They’ll only have one returning guard so it kind of opens up opportunities to work, get that spot and play at the highest level.

“Along with the opportunity their play style allows me to be successful, he continued. ” Coach Johnson spent a lot of time explaining to me how they play. It’s very similar to how we play at Penn Charter and he’s not the type of coach to draw up a play every single time up the floor. He’s not the type of coach to be very controlling. He gives his players a lot of freedom. I heard that from him and the players who are there.”

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