MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Star power forward Trevor Mbakwe (im-BAHK’-way) has decided to return to Minnesota next season after a knee injury wiped out his senior year.
The university posted a short video on its website, showing Mbakwe swishing a free throw and turning to teammate Rodney Williams to say, “We’ve got some unfinished business.” Gophers spokesman Matt Slieter confirmed Monday that Mbakwe will return for 2012-13.
He sat out 2010-11 because of a lingering court case against him. Then after leading the Big Ten in rebounding in 2011-12, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee seven games into his senior year. The NCAA granted him a sixth season of eligibility.
Minnesota finished 6-12 in the conference in 10th place but rallied to reach the NIT championship game last month.
