U's Mbakwe is sidelined until case is resolved

AD Joel Maturi made the decision to keep the talented JC transfer off the court while felony charges are tried in court.

By MYRON P. MEDCALF, Star Tribune

Last update: November 3, 2009 - 3:33 PM

It wasn't worth the potential negative backlash and distractions for the player or the program.

That's how Gophers Athletic Director Joel Maturi defended his "emotional" decision to keep junior college transfer Trevor Mbakwe, a talented power forward for the men's basketball team, sidelined until his felony assault case is resolved.

Maturi announced Monday that Mbakwe will be allowed to practice with the Gophers but won't suit up for home games or travel with the team until there's a resolution in his case, stemming from an alleged incident in April. Mbakwe is scheduled to go on trial Dec. 14, but a few months ago, his lawyer said he would push for a later court date.

Maturi said that he didn't consider Mbakwe's possible guilt or innocence while deliberating, but added "I'd be surprised" if he were found guilty.

"I feel strongly that the decision that was made [is] as much in Trevor's best interests as anyone's," Maturi said. "I just did not believe every time we took the court, the focus had to be on, quite frankly, a [player charged with a felony]. That's the harshness but that's the reality. ... That does not need to be the focus of Trevor at this young age of his life, does not need to be the focus for this basketball team, for [coach Tubby Smith] and quite frankly, for me and the university. Again, not at all, saying there's any guilt there."

Mbakwe, a 6-8, 240-pound power forward who was expected to play a major role this season, was charged after a woman accused him of punching her in the face twice, causing severe facial injuries, around 3 a.m. April 3. The woman initially found Mbakwe's photo during an Internet search on a team website for Miami Dade Community College, where Mbakwe played last season. The victim and Mbakwe lived in the same Miami apartment complex.

He has maintained his innocence and says he has an alibi, supported by four witnesses, that he was at home when the woman was assaulted outside of the apartment building.

Maturi said he spoke with numerous people invested in his decision, including Smith, Mbakwe and his mother, and university lawyers, before he reached a conclusion. He said he received a lot of e-mails and phone calls about Mbakwe and the majority of them were in support of allowing him to compete.

U attorney Mark Rotenberg said he's not concerned about potential legal ramifications for the school if Mbakwe is found not guilty, because competing in athletics is a "privilege, not a right."

Maturi said he told Mbakwe to treat this season as "transfer year," since the junior will still have two years of eligibility remaining after this season. He said he wants Mbakwe to focus on his legal situation and not a possible return to the program.

If Mbakwe is cleared, Maturi said Smith will make the decision about his playing status for the rest of the year. If he keeps his December trial date, Mbakwe will at least miss the team's major nonconference tournament, the 76 Classic in Anaheim, Calif., over Thanksgiving weekend, and a Big Ten/ACC Challenge matchup at Miami.

A resolution by the end of December, however, would potentially allow him to return in time for Big Ten play. The Gophers face Penn State Dec. 29 at home in their first league game.

But Mbakwe's attorney, Gregory Samms, told the Star Tribune in August that he intends to postpone Mbakwe's trial until next year. "We won't be going to trial during the season," Samms said. "... I'll talk to you in 2010."

Neither Samms nor Smith were available for comment Monday. Smith will speak to the media today.

Although Mbakwe -- a former Henry Sibley and St. Bernard's high school star who spent his college freshman season at Marquette -- has not spoken publicly about the case since the school year began, he's voiced frustration over his legal situation via Facebook.

On Friday, Mbakwe wrote this on his Facebook page: "It's crazy when life changes so much based on [someone picking you] off Google. They say innocent 'til proven guilty. If that's the case, [why are] they takin' [something] so dear to me to 'protect me [and] the program.'"

On Saturday, he used the social networking site to talk about the difficulty he's dealt with in recent months because of his legal circumstances.

"[People] applaud me for how strong I've been the last six months," he said. "They say it's impressive that I've been able to keep a smile on my face, but the truth is this ... hurt. I'd never wish this on nobody. This is my life, my future. It's not pretend."

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