Former University of Minnesota basketball player Trent Tucker has been named athletic director for Minneapolis Public Schools. Tucker was drafted in the first round by the New York Knicks in 1982 and played 11 seasons in the NBA. His final season was 1992-93, when he played for the Chicago Bulls' NBA championship team.

Since retiring, Tucker has been a fixture on the Minneapolis sports scene as a motivational speaker, working with underpriviliged and at-risk youth, as a color analyst for the Timberwolves and as a the co-host of a weekend radio show on KFAN.

"I've always placed a huge value on the role athletics play in the development of children," said Tucker in a news release. "I am committed to strengthening Minneapolis Public Schools' athletic program through teamwork, community-building and partnerships."

Tucker replaces John Washington, who retired last fall.

Forward leaves U women's basketball team

Junior forward Kionna Kellogg of the Gophers has been granted a release from the Gophers' women's basketball program. Kellogg will have to sit out one academic year if she transfers to another Division I school and wants to play basketball there.

Kellogg, of Ames, Iowa, started all 32 games last season and played in 96 in her career. She averaged 6.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per games as a junior. The 6-1 Kellogg was the Gophers' second-leading rebounder and third in total blocks with 14.

"We appreciate the contributions Kionna has made to our program the last three years," Gophers coach Pam Borton said in a news release. "We wish her the best of luck."

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