Minnesota Scene: Gophers hoops recruit is released from commitment

Gophers basketball recruit Jonathan Nwankwo has been released from his national letter of intent due to academic circumstances, a source familiar with the situation told the Star Tribune.

The 6-10 Nwankwo had committed to the Gophers for 2015. His NCAA clearinghouse and admissions processes are still ongoing, and he will be free to sign with any other school and begin his eligibility this fall.

Coach Richard Pitino's 2015 class was capped at seven recruits after Jordan Murphy of San Antonio committed Friday, but Nwankwo's departure leaves another scholarship open for this fall. The spring signing period ends Wednesday.

Nwankwo, from Victory Rock Prep in Florida, was expected to be a raw big man with potential, and add depth for a center position that lost seniors Mo Walker and Elliott Eliason.

Amelia Rayno

Marcus Onsum, longtime coach of adapted sports for high school athletes in the Twin Cities area, has been nominated for National Coach of the Year in the category of adapted athletics/special sports by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association.

Onsum, one of eight finalists, coaches the physically impaired teams based at Robbinsdale Armstrong. In his 15 years as head coach, his teams have won 25 state championships in adapted soccer, hockey and softball.

• Gwen Jorgensen of St. Paul won the women's title Saturday at a World Triathlon Series event in Yokohama, Japan, her ninth consecutive victory on the WTS circuit. She finished the 1,500-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike race and 10,000-meter run in 1 hour, 57 minutes, 20 seconds. Jorgensen is undefeated in WTS competition this year and is ranked No. 1 in the world.