Malick Kordel Transfers to Minnesota Basketball Team
The 7-foot-2 center joins the Gophers to bolster the frontcourt rotation for the upcoming season.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Basketball
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The University of Minnesota basketball team has added 7-foot-2 center Malick Kordel through the NCAA transfer portal during the 2026 offseason. Kordel, who played 14 games for the Michigan Wolverines last season, joins a roster looking to address significant depth and size concerns following an injury-plagued year.
Why it matters
Minnesota aims to improve its frontcourt presence by integrating Kordel and 6-11 freshman Chadrack Mpoyi into its offensive schemes. The addition provides necessary depth as the program prepares for the start of the 2026-2027 campaign.
Malick Kordel stands 7-foot-2 and weighs 275 pounds, bringing significant physical size to the Gophers roster. He joins 6-11 freshman Chadrack Mpoyi as part of the team's expanded frontcourt options.
The players
Malick Kordel
A 7-foot-2 center from Germany who has transferred to the University of Minnesota with two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Chadrack Mpoyi
A 6-11 freshman contributing to the depth of the Minnesota basketball frontcourt.
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson
A Minnesota player who is reintegrating into the team following recovery from a foot injury.
Kai Shinholster
A sophomore guard who remains a key member of the Minnesota basketball roster.
The details
The coaching staff is currently adjusting offensive plays to better utilize lob passes for the team's new, taller frontcourt players. This roster development comes as other key players, including Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, return to action following recovery from injuries.
Timeline
Kordel began playing basketball in Germany in 2021.
Kordel played against La Salle while at Michigan on December 21, 2025.
Minnesota opens their season against North Dakota on November 2, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The Minnesota Gophers' move follows the broader shift seen in the NCAA transfer portal player movement trends across Division I basketball. This roster adjustment is intended to change the team's competitive standing within the conference following an injury-ravaged previous season.
The arrival of Kordel and Mpoyi fundamentally changes the team's interior playstyle, necessitating a shift toward lob-focused offensive sets. This rotation change will dictate the team's rebounding and defensive efficiency in the upcoming season opener.
The takeaway
Kordel brings immediate physical height to a team that struggled with interior depth last year. Implementing these new frontcourt players into a cohesive offensive system will be a primary focus for the coaching staff as the season begins.
What happens next
Minnesota will play their season opener against North Dakota on November 2, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the roster updates, visit Minneapolis Basketball.
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