Minnesota’s Mbakwe granted sixth year

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA has granted injured Minnesota forward Trevor Mbakwe a sixth season of eligibility. Now it’s up to Mbakwe to decide if he wants to take it.

The Golden Gophers announced the NCAA’s decision Friday, but the 6-foot-8 Mbakwe has not said if he will return next season after rehabbing a torn ligament in his right knee.

“I am certainly excited for the opportunity that the NCAA has given me in a sixth year of eligibility,” Mbakwe said in a statement issued by the school. “I want to thank my family and all of Gopher Nation for all of the support. It has been a difficult season, but I am confident that I will be able to return to the type of player I was before the injury.”

Mbakwe was leading the Gophers with 14.0 points and 9.1 rebounds per game when he was injured on Nov. 27.

“The NCAA made the right decision,” Gophers coach Tubby Smith said. “Trevor has done everything we have asked of him for three years now, and he deserves the right to compete for a sixth season.”

Tags: sports, gophers, basketball