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/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Get to Know Men's Basketball's Blake Nixon Jr.
8/11/2026 1:27:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Blake Nixon Jr. joined the Gophers in the summer of 2026 after he played for Holy Angels and Hoops Habits Elite AAU program. As a junior with Holy Angels, Nixon was selected an all-conference honoree. He averaged 19.8 points when he scored 535 points and played in all 27 games. In his senior season, Nixon Jr. scored his 1,000th career point and played in 12 games before ending his season with a knee injury. Get to know the guard from Minneapolis in this recent question/answer session.
Why Minnesota?
It's been my dream to play for the Gophers since I've been a kid. My family and I have been huge Gopher fans for a long time. We have a history of playing for the Gophers in other sports. My grandpa played on the Gopher football team in the 1960s (1967-69), so I'm happy to be able to keep that tradition.
Besides basketball, what sports did you play growing up and when did you decide basketball was going to be your focus?
I played basketball and tennis in high school. Growing up, I played a little bit of football, golf, swimming, soccer. It was about in sixth grade where I decided I wanted to play basketball. I didn't make a team that I wanted to make in basketball. If I really wanted to be good at this sport, I needed to dedicate a lot of time to it.
Talk about your experience at Holy Angels and now representing your home state?
Holy Angels was a big growing experience for me. I had three coaches in my four years there. I had the same coach for the last two years. Having him there for two years, he brought a great culture to that program. Learning from that culture, I can bring a lot of good qualities to the Gophers. I'm excited to represent my home state to the best of my ability.
You suffered an injury during your senior year of high school and working your way back, how has your progress been to get back on the court?
Unfortunately this isn't anything foreign to me, I had the same surgery on my other knee the year before. I learned how long I actually need to stay out and how honest I need to be with my body. I rushed back way too fast last time. Our athletic trainer Ryan Dotson and my physical therapist Braidy Solie, are doing a great job of making sure I'm safe and getting back to speed and hope to be back by the season.
What's the best piece of advice you've gotten from a teammate or coach?
The best advice was from my teammate Kai Shinholster. He told me to get my work done. Don't duck the work. Sometimes it's not always fun or easy, but it's your obligation. You're here for a reason and you've got to get your work done. That's been a great piece of advice.
You're an incoming freshman, what are you looking forward to as the school year gets going?
I'm excited to see the culture and the environment of the campus when everyone is back. I'm excited to go to some football games. I've been to every home football game for the last five years. My family has season tickets so we've gone to all the games.
What are you most looking forward to this basketball season?
I'm looking forward to all the away games and road trips. I'm excited to see all the cities, arenas and crowds. I'm excited for that experience.
Favorite Food: Steak
If I'm not playing basketball I'd be: I like to go golfing with a lot of my friends and I'm also a big movie guy, and I like to play video games with the guys.
Favorite movie: Star Wars, Revenge of the Sith.
Snack time go to: Flamin' Hot Munchies with a Blue Calypso
Favorite NBA Player or Team: De'Aaron Fox. I've been a huge fan of his since he was in high school. He used to have the hair and the ninja headband. The headband got banned and he cut his hair, but I still love him. My favorite NBA team is the Timberwolves.
Bucket List Sporting event to go to: I'd love to go to the Olympics and cheer on Team USA.
Why Minnesota?
It's been my dream to play for the Gophers since I've been a kid. My family and I have been huge Gopher fans for a long time. We have a history of playing for the Gophers in other sports. My grandpa played on the Gopher football team in the 1960s (1967-69), so I'm happy to be able to keep that tradition.
Besides basketball, what sports did you play growing up and when did you decide basketball was going to be your focus?
I played basketball and tennis in high school. Growing up, I played a little bit of football, golf, swimming, soccer. It was about in sixth grade where I decided I wanted to play basketball. I didn't make a team that I wanted to make in basketball. If I really wanted to be good at this sport, I needed to dedicate a lot of time to it.
Talk about your experience at Holy Angels and now representing your home state?
Holy Angels was a big growing experience for me. I had three coaches in my four years there. I had the same coach for the last two years. Having him there for two years, he brought a great culture to that program. Learning from that culture, I can bring a lot of good qualities to the Gophers. I'm excited to represent my home state to the best of my ability.
You suffered an injury during your senior year of high school and working your way back, how has your progress been to get back on the court?
Unfortunately this isn't anything foreign to me, I had the same surgery on my other knee the year before. I learned how long I actually need to stay out and how honest I need to be with my body. I rushed back way too fast last time. Our athletic trainer Ryan Dotson and my physical therapist Braidy Solie, are doing a great job of making sure I'm safe and getting back to speed and hope to be back by the season.
What's the best piece of advice you've gotten from a teammate or coach?
The best advice was from my teammate Kai Shinholster. He told me to get my work done. Don't duck the work. Sometimes it's not always fun or easy, but it's your obligation. You're here for a reason and you've got to get your work done. That's been a great piece of advice.
You're an incoming freshman, what are you looking forward to as the school year gets going?
I'm excited to see the culture and the environment of the campus when everyone is back. I'm excited to go to some football games. I've been to every home football game for the last five years. My family has season tickets so we've gone to all the games.
What are you most looking forward to this basketball season?
I'm looking forward to all the away games and road trips. I'm excited to see all the cities, arenas and crowds. I'm excited for that experience.
Favorite Food: Steak
If I'm not playing basketball I'd be: I like to go golfing with a lot of my friends and I'm also a big movie guy, and I like to play video games with the guys.
Favorite movie: Star Wars, Revenge of the Sith.
Snack time go to: Flamin' Hot Munchies with a Blue Calypso
Favorite NBA Player or Team: De'Aaron Fox. I've been a huge fan of his since he was in high school. He used to have the hair and the ninja headband. The headband got banned and he cut his hair, but I still love him. My favorite NBA team is the Timberwolves.
Bucket List Sporting event to go to: I'd love to go to the Olympics and cheer on Team USA.
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