Mbawke Won't Play for Gophers Until Case Cleared

MINNEAPOLIS - Trevor Mbakwe will not play basketball for the Gophers this season until his felony battery case is cleared, University of Minnesota athletics director Joel Maturi said.

Mbakwe will stand trial in December for an alleged attack on a woman in Miami, Florida in April. His attorney has said he's innocent.

Maturi said that Mbakwe will continue to attend classes and practice with the Gophers, but will not dress for home games and won't travel to away games..

"I believe that it is in Trevor's best interest and the interest of the University of Minnesota that this situation is fully resolved before we allow him to compete," Maturi said. "These types of decisions are always difficult and many factors must be considered. At the end of the day I believe I must do what's right for Trevor and this University. For now that includes limiting his contributions to the basketball program to practice."

Mbakwe, a 2007 graduate of St. Bernard's High School in St. Paul, signed a National Letter of Intent with the Gophers in November of 2008. He originally attended Marquette University.