Nov 4, 2009
Minnesota Suspends Top Recruit During Pending Court Case
Forward Trevor Mbakwe Must Sit Until Court Case Rectified
The Minnesota Golden Gophers' athletics director Joel Maturi announced Monday that top recruit junior forward Trevor Mbakwe will not be allowed to play for the basketball team this season until his pending court case on a felony aggravated battery charge is successfully resolved. Maturi added that Mbakwe will be permitted to attend classes and participate in team practices and functions, however, he will not be allowed to suit up for home games, or travel with the team for road games, until the alleged charges are rectified. Mbakwe faces a December trial for charges that he allegedly attacked a woman in April while in Miami. Mbakwe has denied the charges citing that it is was a mere case of mistaken identity.
There is a possibility of the court case dragging on past December in which case Mbakwe could be eligible for a redshirt season allowing him to retain the two years of eligibility he has left to play basketball at the collegiate level. Neither Mbakwe, his attorney, or coach Tubby Smith could be reached for comment on the situation and how it would affect the Gophers this season; however, the loss of the junior forward for any extended period of time is a pretty sure basketball bet to hamper the team's odds of retaining their 25th preseason ranking. Mbakwe was a highly recruited junior forward transfer that was expected to step in and provide immediate contributions at the power forward position due to his size, bulk and experience. This would help satisfy the much needed depth for talented players at the power forward position for the Gophers. Without Mbakwe's presence inside, the betting odds of the Gophers remaining a top 25 team, or the odds of them being a legitimate contender for the Big Ten Championship will seriously diminish.
By Bryan Jackson
Staff Writer
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