U official: Royce White suspect in campus burglary

David Brewster, Star Tribune

Trevor Mbakwe, left, and Royce White watched from the bench in street clothes.

The Gophers' top recruit last year is being investigated about an incident on campus, which comes after an arrest on shoplifting and assault charges last month.

By MYRON P. MEDCALF, Star Tribune

Last update: November 11, 2009 - 12:54 PM

There's potentially more drama ahead for Tubby Smith and the Gophers men's basketball program.

Police are investigating Gophers power forward Royce White as a possible suspect in a Saturday night burglary on the University of Minnesota campus, school spokesperson Garry Bowman said Tuesday night.

White, last year's Mr. Basketball in Minnesota and Smith's top freshman recruit, already is serving an indefinite suspension after he was arrested Oct. 13 for shoplifting and fifth-degree misdemeanor assault at the Mall of the America.

Campus police responded to a call about a burglary at Territorial Hall on Saturday night.

The parents of the university student who called police about the burglary said their daughter said someone entered her dorm room and stole a laptop computer. They would not say whether their daughter identified White as being involved.

"I don't think we have any comment," the student's mother said. "She simply had her laptop stolen. She reported it to campus police. ... I just don't think we need to discuss this any further."

Smith was unavailable for comment Tuesday night.

Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi said White has been identified as someone who was allegedly in the dorm at the time of the burglary, but said he'll let the judicial process play out before any decisions are made.

"He has been identified as one of the people in the dormitory at the time," Maturi said. "If he's innocent, why would that affect his status? Now, if he's guilty, we're talking a different situation."

Maturi added: "We will respond in what we think is an appropriate manner."

Maturi said he spoke with Smith about the allegation Tuesday.

When reached for comment, White's grandfather, Frank White, said he didn't know anything about the most recent incident, but said he hoped that it was false.

"Wow," he said. "I sure hope it's wrong."

While White has been heralded as Minnesota's top prep basketball talent since now Dallas Mavericks forward Kris Humphries, he's also been one of its most troubled. The 6-8, 245-pound freshman was expelled from DeLaSalle because of academic misconduct in 2008. He eventually transferred to Hopkins for his senior year, helping the Royals win the Class 4A title last March.

White's latest trouble culminated on Oct. 13, when he was arrested by Bloomington police.

White is scheduled to go to court Tuesday in Bloomington for the shoplifting and assault charges stemming from that Mall of America incident.

He's accused of stealing $100 worth of merchandise from Macy's and pushing a security guard to the ground two times, according to a report from Bloomington police.

White received citations for that incident.

The Gophers freshman was expected to offer Smith's team immediate help because of his vast skill set. He's arguably Minnesota's most talented player, but Smith said White won't play until he meets certain guidelines established after he suspended him indefinitely following his arrest.

At the time, Smith said White would miss anywhere from two to 20 games.

After Monday night's exhibition against Minnesota State Moorhead, Smith said White will not play Friday in the team's season opener against Tennessee Tech at Williams Arena.

Smith's most promising season with his most talented roster at Minnesota has gotten off to a rough start. Senior guard Devron Bostick, the 2008 national junior college player of the year, is also suspended indefinitely for an unspecified violation of team rules.

Junior college transfer Trevor Mbakwe, a former star at St. Bernard's and Henry Sibley, won't play until his legal case stemming from an incident in Miami in April is resolved. Mbakwe's trial for felony assault is expected to begin in December.

Smith said Saturday morning that he has to do more to guide his players away from the basketball court.

"It's been one of the most coachable groups I've ever had," Smith said. "I need to coach 'em up a little bit more off the court, but they've been pretty good, as coachable as any group on the court."