Trevor Mbakwe finally gets some good news

The basketball career of much-maligned power forward Trevor Mbakwe has seemingly taken a step in the right direction.

Mbawke spent the 2007-2008 season with Marquette before transferring to Miame-Dade Community College. That's where his trouble started. Mbakwe was accused of assaulting a woman in April of 2009 in Miami, and after enrolling at Minnesota last season, Mbakwe was deemed ineligible as a result of the pending charges.

As his legal case dragged on for over a year, Mbakwe waited and watched the Golden Gophers play their way into the NCAA Tournament. When summer rolled around with his legal case going no where, Mbakwe began looking into a transfer, the Memphis Tigers emerging as his biggest suitor. Many believed Mbakwe, like Royce White, would never end up playing for Tubby Smith.

Minnesota fans hope they will be seeing plenty of this in 2011.
(photo credit: Commercial Appeal)

Well, that all changed today as Mbakwe's case came to a close. Mbakwe agreed to skip trial in exchange for a six-month intervention program. He must a $100 fine, do 100 hours of community service, and avoid contact with his accuser, and he will have everything erased from his record. The program is not an admission of guilt either.

As a result, Mbakwe has been reinstated by Minnesota AD Joel Maturi. He will be allowed to practice with the team on August 21st, as the Gophers begin preparations for a trip to Canada for some exhibition games.

The question is will he want to? He meets with Tubby Smith later this week.

My advice?

He already sat out an entire season. Who knows if the NCAA will actually grant you a waiver to transfer again without penalty. Minnesota brings back a roster that could really use a bid-bodied, 6'8" bruiser. Mbakwe would be a great complement to a front line that currently features Rodney Williams at small forward and the combo of Ralph Sampson III and Colton Iverson at center.

The Gophers are a borderline NCAA Tournament team right now, but Mbakwe has a chance to contribute major minutes immediately in a loaded Big Ten.

Staying means he can finally play some big-time basketball.

Why risk it again?