Robert Vaihola - College Basketball News & Rumors

Returning to SJSU Vaihola has decided to return to San Jose State for the 2026-27 season, according to PortalUpdates.

Impact Vaihola was limited to just five games with Minnesota in the 2025-26 season due to injury. The big man has decided to return to SJSU, where he had the best year of his career in 2024-25 with 7.5 points and 7.5 boards per game in 31 starts.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Entering transfer portal Vaihola is entering the NCAA's transfer portal, according to Andy Greder of the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.

Impact In terms of Vaihola's collegiate eligibility, him medically redshirting his 2025-26 season indicates that he would log an additional year. While enrolled at Minnesota, the senior barely recorded five games.

APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE

Minnesota loves the TV timeout. Those mandated breaks help a depleted Gophers squad stay competitive

The first season for Minnesota under coach Niko Medved has not unfolded as he envisioned

MARCH 6 • Associated Press

Cade Tyson drains seven 3-pointers, scores 27 points and Minnesota drops Rutgers 80-61

Cade Tyson had 27 points and 10 rebounds, making seven 3-pointers, and short-handed Minnesota defeated Rutgers 80-61

FEBRUARY 21 • Associated Press

Minnesota's injury woes worsen with Jaylen Crocker-Johnson out indefinitely as season winds down

Minnesota junior forward Jaylen Crocker-Johnson will be sidelined indefinitely with a foot injury that has kept him out of the last two games

FEBRUARY 21 • Associated Press

Seeking medical redshirt Vaihola (knee) will seek a medical redshirt to try to pursue eligibility for the 2026-27 season, per Andy Greder of the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.

Impact Vaihola was ruled out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season on New Years Eve. Now, the word out of Minneapolis is that the senior big man will seek another year of college hoops and try to write off 2025-26 as a redshirt campaign after he played in just five games. The San Jose State transfer was averaging 5.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Set to miss rest of season Vaihola (knee) is set to have season-ending knee surgery on Friday, Andy Greder of the Twin Cities Pioneer Press reports.

Impact Vaihola has not played since Nov. 18 when he initially aggravated this knee injury. The San Jose State transfer unfortunately suffered the worst-possible outcome and will miss the remainder of his senior season. Grayson Grove figures to hold an important depth role in the frontcourt for the rest of the year with Vaihola permanently sidelined.

DECEMBER 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

No timetable for return Vaihola (knee) doesn't have a timetable for return, Ryan James of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Vaihola hasn't appeared in a game since Nov. 18 due to a knee injury, and it appears the veteran center isn't nearing a return. In his absence, Bobby Durkin has stepped into a larger role.

DECEMBER 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Medved revels in Minnesota's upset of Indiana, marking Big Ten debut where he grew up a Gophers fan

Niko Medved stood in a crowd of Minnesota fans on the court as he conducted a postgame television interview after an upset of Indiana in his Big Ten debut and tried to process the...

DECEMBER 4, 2025 • Associated Press

Minnesota hosts No. 22 Indiana after DeVries' 20-point showing

No. 22 Indiana takes on the Minnesota Golden Gophers after Tucker DeVries scored 20 points in the Hoosiers' 100-56 win over the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats

DECEMBER 3, 2025 • Associated Press

Likely out Wednesday Vaihola (knee) is not expected to be available for Wednesday's game against Indiana, Andy Greder of TwinCities.com reports.

Impact Vaihola is "a little ways away from being able to return" according to head coach Niko Medved. The 6-foot-8 senior, who has missed the last three games with a knee injury, is averaging five points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks across five starts. Vaihola will likely sit out against the Hoosiers on Wednesday.

DECEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out Friday Vaihola (knee) is out for Friday's meeting with Santa Clara, Tony Liebert of Bring Me The News reports.

Impact Vaihola has missed multiple matchups as he continues working his way back from a knee injury. The senior center will aim to get back on the court for the team's next matchup. He has been a solid contributor for Minnesota, averaging 5.0 points and 7.6 rebounds on 21.4 minutes across five starts.

NOVEMBER 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Thursday Vaihola (knee) is out for Thursday's game at Stanford.

Impact Vaihola will miss a second straight game due to the injury he sustained against Chicago State. The absence of Vaihola is significant in the frontcourt, as he's averaging 5.0 points and 7.6 boards per game in 2025-26. His absence means Nehemiah Turner is likely to remain in the starting lineup for the time being.

NOVEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out Saturday Vaihola (knee) isn't available for Minnesota on Saturday against San Francisco.

Impact Vaihola won't be available after he sustained a knee injury in the Gophers' win over Chicago State on Tuesday. The center, who averages 5.0 points and 7.6 rebounds, will get his next chance to play on Nov. 27 against Stanford.

NOVEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't return Tuesday Vaihola didn't return to Tuesday's game against Chicago State after suffering an apparent knee injury, Andy Greder of the Twin Cities Pioneer Press reports.

Impact Vaihola departed the game with 7:04 left in the second half and didn't return to the game, although Minnesota still found a way to remain perfect at home with a 66-54 win. Vaihola finished the game with four points (1-3 FG, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds and an assist across 22 minutes. His status for the game against San Francisco on Nov. 22 is uncertain.

NOVEMBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Tyson scores 27, Crocker-Johnson adds 11 and 11 rebounds; Minnesota beats Green Bay in OT

Cade Tyson scored 27 points and Jaylen Crocker-Johnson had 11 points and 11 rebounds on Saturday night to help Minnesota beat Green Bay 72-65 in overtime

NOVEMBER 16, 2025 • Associated Press

Non-factor in loss Vaihola registered one point (0-1 FG, 1-2 FT), six rebounds and one assist across 24 minutes during Wednesday's 83-60 loss to Missouri.

Impact Vaihola was completely stymied against Missouri, and the forward just wasn't able to get anything going. Coming off a double-double against Alcorn State, he only attempted one shot from the floor -- which he missed -- and two free throws. Vaihola pulled down six boards but was invisible offensively, something the Gophers are going to need to change against tougher competition down the stretch.

NOVEMBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Tyson scores 21, Crocker-Johnson records another double-double and Minnesota beats Alcorn State

Cade Tyson scored 21 points, Robert Vaihola and Jaylen Crocker-Johnson each had a double-double, and Minnesota beat Alcorn State 95-50

NOVEMBER 8, 2025 • Associated Press

The Gophers landed another player from the transfer portal Wednesday in San Jose State's Robert Vaihola In Robert Vaihola, Gophers coach Niko Medved landed a player who averaged 7.5 points and 7.5 rebounds last season for San Jose State.

APRIL 9, 2025 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Gophers add first big man via transfer portal: Robert Vaihola from San Jose State California native is the fourth addition for next year’s team.

APRIL 9, 2025 • TWINCITIES.COM

Commits to Minnesota Vaihola has committed to Minnesota for the 2025-26 season, according to GopherSports.com.

Impact Vaihola will look to maximize his final year of college eligibility and should see steady minutes in the frontcourt for the Golden Gophers. He was a regular for SJSU in 2024-25, averaging 7.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 blocks across 27.3 minutes per contest in 31 starts.

APRIL 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Will enter portal Vaihola will enter the NCAA's transfer portal, according to Travis Branham of 247Sports.

Impact Usually, NCAA juniors enter its transfer portal with an objective to maximize their senior year's upside. Vaihola is no exception, especially considering he already used his redshirt.

MARCH 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

San Jose State, Loyola Chicago play in NIT

MARCH 18, 2025 • Associated Press

Dent has 25, New Mexico beats San Jose State 63-52 in Mountain West Conference Tournament

Led by Donovan Dent's 25 points, the New Mexico Lobos defeated the San Jose State Spartans 63-52 in the Mountain West Conference Tournament on Thursday

MARCH 13, 2025 • Associated Press

New Mexico Lobos take on the San Jose State Spartans in MWC Tournament

MARCH 13, 2025 • Associated Press

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