West Coast Convo
Fansided

Former Minnesota Guard Joe Coleman Chooses Saint Mary’s

By George Robles

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Nov 22, 2012; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Duke Blue Devils guard Quinn Cook (2) dribbles as Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Joe Coleman (11) defends during the 2012 Battle 4 Atlantis in the Imperial Arena at the Atlantis Resort. Duke won 89-71. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Saint Mary’s Gaels have received commitment from former University of Minnesota guard Joe Coleman on Monday afternoon.

Listed as a 6’4’’ shooting guard, Coleman will redshirt the upcoming season and will be eligible to play starting in 2014-2015 season and will have two years left. Last season he averaged 8.7 points and 3.6 rebounds when he started all 36 games as a Gopher.

He announced he would transfer after head coach Tubby Smith was fired and he told ESPN that, “It came down to the fact that Coach Bennett has been able to develop guards and also that they have playing time available. When Coach Smith left, I decided I wanted to go somewhere that I could expand my game.”

Coleman is an explosive guard as seen on his many highlight reel dunks on YouTube and was ranked 95 on ESPN top 100 High School recruits as a senior in 2011.

He chose the Gaels over Creighton and also had attention from Oregon, Gonzaga and Florida State.

This commitment helps ease the pain for Saint Mary’s come 2014-2015 as they will lose guards Stephen Holt, Jorden Page, James Walker and Paul McCoy and former signee Cullen Neal who de-committed from Saint Mary’s who was expected to take over the guard position in 2014.

His best game last season was against No. 12 Illinois at home where he poured in 29 points in a 17 point victory. He also chipped in with 14 points in their second round NCAA tournament game against UCLA.

Coleman will have to work more on his three-point shooting to fit into Randy Bennett’s system as he only shot just under 30% from long range last season. The upcoming redshirt season will be a perfect time for him to develop his game even more and probably be the best player for the Gaels when eligible.