White released from Minnesota basketball team, prized recruit never played

White released from Minnesota basketball team

MINNEAPOLIS — Freshman forward Royce White has left the Minnesota basketball team without ever playing a game.

The university said Wednesday that White wants out of his scholarship and his request will be granted.

University spokesman Dan Wolter says White has withdrawn from school.

Coach Tubby Smith says the team is “deeply saddened by the entire chain of events” involving White over the last few months.

He was suspended last fall after an incident at the Mall of America, later pleading guilty to theft and disorderly conduct. On Monday, he was charged with trespassing in connection to an alleged theft of a laptop computer from a university dorm.

White was Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball last season.