BigGopherFan
Banned
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2009
- Messages
- 1,425
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 36
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota coach Tubby Smith is keeping troubled freshman forward Royce White away from the team until the investigation into another theft allegation against him is complete.
White hasn't played for the 25th-ranked Gophers because of an indefinite suspension for violating team rules. That punishment was handed out before campus police initiated an investigation into White's possible role in a stolen laptop from a student's dorm room. No arrests or charges have been made in that case.
White also faces a court appearance on Tuesday for an October arrest at the Mall of America, when he was charged with misdemeanor theft and fifth-degree assault for allegedly stealing clothes and shoving a security worker.
White watched Minnesota's two exhibition games in dress clothes and had been practicing with the team, but he was not on the bench during Friday's season opener and not at practice Saturday.
"I thought it would be best because of some of the distractions, or just finding out what is happening with this latest episode," Smith said. "As soon as that investigation is completed, we'll probably have some type of statement about his status with our program."
Smith cut off all other questions about White.
Senior guard Devron Bostick and junior forward Trevor Mbakwe are also suspended, but the players have tried to downplay the negative effect.
"We miss those guys, but Trevor and Royce and them not being there, that doesn't have anything to do with my jump shot falling," senior guard Lawrence Westbrook said. "We've just got to go out there and play."
White hasn't played for the 25th-ranked Gophers because of an indefinite suspension for violating team rules. That punishment was handed out before campus police initiated an investigation into White's possible role in a stolen laptop from a student's dorm room. No arrests or charges have been made in that case.
White also faces a court appearance on Tuesday for an October arrest at the Mall of America, when he was charged with misdemeanor theft and fifth-degree assault for allegedly stealing clothes and shoving a security worker.
White watched Minnesota's two exhibition games in dress clothes and had been practicing with the team, but he was not on the bench during Friday's season opener and not at practice Saturday.
"I thought it would be best because of some of the distractions, or just finding out what is happening with this latest episode," Smith said. "As soon as that investigation is completed, we'll probably have some type of statement about his status with our program."
Smith cut off all other questions about White.
Senior guard Devron Bostick and junior forward Trevor Mbakwe are also suspended, but the players have tried to downplay the negative effect.
"We miss those guys, but Trevor and Royce and them not being there, that doesn't have anything to do with my jump shot falling," senior guard Lawrence Westbrook said. "We've just got to go out there and play."