Cedric Tomes, smooth shooter from East Ridge, commits to Gophers men’s basketball team

East Ridge guard Cedric Tomes on Saturday became the first local high school player to commit to the Gophers men’s basketball team under new coach Niko Medved.

The 6-1 junior was a top in-state target for the previous coaching staff, and his recruitment picked up with Medved, who offered him a scholarship again on his unofficial visit to campus Thursday.

“It feels great,” Tomes told the Star Tribune. “I knew it was the right time to make a decision. Ever since Coach Medved and the rest of the coaching staff came in it just felt special what they have going there. Culture is as important to them as it is to me. I want to get the Minnesota culture going.”

Tomes, who also had offers from Iowa State, Northern Iowa, Oklahoma and St. Louis, had a breakout season for East Ridge while averaging 27.3 points, including 40-point games against Totino-Grace, Osseo and White Bear Lake.

Known for his deep three-point range and effortless shooting stroke, Tomes is ranked as a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com and as the state’s fourth-best player in the 2026 class by Prep Hoops.

Medved has a history of developing backcourt talent. In his time at Colorado State, he sent former Rams standout Isaiah Stevens to the NBA. Kyan Evans, a sophomore guard last season, also transferred this spring to North Carolina.

On Thursday’s visit, the Gophers showed Tomes video clips of Stevens, who was a similar size and build. They talked about how Tomes’ potential in their system that had success in the past.

“I remember [Medved’s] style of play at Colorado State,” Tomes said. “How he likes to play and what he preaches I can see coming together here. I’m excited to watch them play and about when it’s my time as well.”

After he took over Minnesota’s program in late March, one of Medved’s biggest priorities was keeping former four-star Cherry recruit Isaac Asuma, an impact player as a freshman under former coach Ben Johnson.

Asuma and fellow Gophers freshman Grayson Grove both decided to return to the program next season. They also played on the same D1 Minnesota AAU program as Tomes.

“When I went down there on my visit, they were the first players to say what’s up to me,” Tomes said. “I knew them when they were on D1 Minnesota. I’m glad I will be able to pick up what [Asuma’s] learned down there and just continue to build my game.”

Tomes arguably has been the top performer for his D1 Minnesota 17U team on the Adidas AAU circuit this spring. He was noted for his 19-point effort against highly regarded Compton Magic in Southern California last weekend.

The No. 1 player in the state’s 2026 class, Wayzata’s Christian Wiggins, was the first Minnesota high schooler offered a scholarship by the Gophers under Medved, but he committed to Iowa State last month.

Wiggins and Tomes are AAU teammates. Totino-Grace junior wing Dothan Ijadimbola and Maple Grove sophomore guard Baboucarr Ann both were also re-offered scholarships by the Gophers and play on D1 Minnesota 17U with Tomes.

In the Class of 2027, the Gophers also offered a scholarship to Cretin-Derham Hall forward Ty Schlagel again after he was recruited heavily by Johnson and current assistant Dave Thorson.

Will Tomes’ commitment help convince other top Minnesota prospects to join him with the Gophers?

“That would mean a lot to him to get them back on track,” East Ridge coach Josh Peltier said. “Just getting the Gophers going where they should be. He’s pumped and I think Niko is going to do a really good job.”