Parker Fox announces return to Gophers for one more season

After receiving news that Cam Christie will test the NBA Draft waters, Gophers fans got some positive news, as fan-favorite Parker Fox announced his return for one last season in a creative social media post.

Minnesota, I’m forever yours 💛

Always will be a Gopher 〽️ @GopherMBB @GopherSports #PTW #FOE #TMC #Gophs #Rah 🏁🤞🏻 pic.twitter.com/EA1bp3SQI5

— Parker Fox (@Parkerfox24) April 12, 2024

Next season will be Fox’s eighth year of college basketball… yes you read that right. After battling back from back-to-back season-ending ACL surgeries, he performed wonderfully as the Gophers’ sixth man last season. Averaging 5.1 points and 2.9 rebounds on the season, it took him a while to find his footing, but the Mahtomedi, MN native averaged 9.2 PPG and 2.5 RPG in the month of March.

At 6-foot-8, Fox showed the capability to be a perimeter player at Northern State, but he blossomed into an ideal small-ball five with the Gophers. An eighth year senior is obviously an incredibly unique situation that is only possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic, granting an additional year, but given Fox’s circumstances as a childhood Minnesota fan, it is a super cool story to see him have one more chance to make a run at March Madness with his childhood program. He is the type of player that you want to build a winning culture and he will be a huge part as Ben Johnson and his staff look to take the next leap in 2024-25.

As for the Gophers, losing Christie and retaining Fox would give them six open scholarships to work with in the portal. Canisuius big man Frank Mitchell and Davidson guard Grant Huffman will be two players visiting the program in the coming days and Cornell transfer Isaiah Gray is another name to look out for.

Overall, this a huge win for Ben Johnson, the Gophers and most importantly Parker Fox. He brings energy to this program, arena and team that is not easy to find and it will be a pleasure to watch him next season.