The Minnesota men’s basketball program has Cade Tyson back in the fold for the 2026-27 season, with the University of Minnesota announcing that he has rejoined the team, enrolled in classes and will practice while his eligibility status is sorted out.
“We're excited to have Cade rejoin our program,” head coach Niko Medved said. “We're here to support him in any way we can through this process and are looking forward to having Cade around the facility and program.”
Tyson’s return brings back a player who was Minnesota’s top scorer a year ago. The 6-foot-7 guard/forward earned All-Big Ten honorable mention last season, along with NABC Second Team All-District and Academic All-District recognition.
He led the Gophers in points per game at 19.6, total points with 628, free throws made and attempted at 175-213, minutes played at 36.7 and field goals made and attempted at 191-382.
Across four college seasons - two at Belmont, one at North Carolina and one at Minnesota - Tyson has scored 1,621 points, knocked down 213 three-pointers and grabbed 528 rebounds in 124 games.
Tyson’s return comes after what looked like a senior walk-through, though the five for five ruling has been challenged in court. At the end of July, he was already practicing with the Gophers. While alumni are allowed a limited number of practices with former teams each year, Tyson was working with the regulars in a number of drills rather than staying on the scout side or simply taking shots.
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Cade Tyson's Gophers Return Comes With One Huge Catch
Cade Tyson is back around the Gophers as the legal fight over his college eligibility plays out, giving Minnesota a familiar face in the mix while the offseason keeps moving. His situation stems from the NCAAs new five-year eligibility model, which changed the old redshirt structure and limited most waiver paths for players trying to squeeze out a final season.
Tyson and other athletes from the 2022 recruiting class sued the NCAA to argue for a fifth year under the new system, and they initially won a preliminary injunction. The NCAA appealed, though, and the injunction was temporarily stayed, which leaves Tyson ineligible for now even as he has rejoined the team while the process continues. [Read more 🡒]
Gophers Offseason Suddenly Hinges On One Massive Cade Tyson Decision
The offseason picture for Minnesota basketball changed quickly with Cade Tyson back in the fold, at least for now. The University of Minnesota announced that the teams leading scorer from last season has rejoined the program for the 2026-27 campaign pending eligibility, and he has already enrolled in classes and begun practicing with the Gophers while the staff waits for confirmation under the NCAAs new five-year eligibility rules.
For a program trying to build around proven production, Tysons return carries obvious weight because he also led Minnesota in rebounds and assists during the 2025-26 season. The only real question left is whether the eligibility process clears in time to make his comeback official, turning what looked like a straightforward offseason into one of the most important unresolved items on the Gophers board. [Read more 🡒]
Gophers Get Cade Tyson Back But One Major Hurdle Remains
Cade Tyson is back around the Minnesota mens basketball program, practicing with the Gophers while the school waits for a ruling on his NCAA eligibility. For now, his return at least gives Ben Johnsons roster a proven scoring option as the team continues its preseason preparation, even if the broader question around how soon he can fully suit up still hangs over the picture.
Tyson is part of a federal lawsuit seeking an extra year of eligibility for athletes in the high school class of 2022, and a preliminary injunction currently would allow him to play in the 2026-27 season. Minnesota has not offered specifics on where his status stands, which leaves the Gophers in a familiar holding pattern: happy to have him back in the gym, but still waiting on the final answer that will determine when his impact actually counts. [Read more 🡒]