By Chris Monter
FOXSportsNorth.com
January 10, 2011
Trevor Mbakwe, a 6-foot-8 junior forward for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, was arrested for a violation of a harassment order Monday night and held in the Ramsey County Jail before being released at 11:30 p.m., according to a Ramsey County spokesperson.
"We are aware of the charges that have been filed against Trevor," said Minnesota Athletic Director Joel Maturi. "Until we know all of the facts surrounding the charges it would be premature for us to have any further comment."
The University of Minnesota has not released a statement regarding this incident, so further details are not known.
Mbakwe sat out last season after being accused of a felony battery charge in Florida in April of 2009. The trial was postponed several times and Mbakwe reach an agreement to complete 100 hours of community service, which he recently finished.
Mbakwe is averaging 13.4 points, tied for the team lead, and 10.4 rebounds per game, which leads the Big Ten.
Mbakwe had 16 points and 12 rebounds in a 67-64 loss to No. 2 Ohio State Sunday. It was his tenth double-double of the season, which also leads the Big Ten.
Minnesota is 12-4 overall and 1-3 in Big Ten play. They are ranked No. 25 in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25 poll. Minnesota faces No. 8 Purdue at home on Thursday.
The St. Paul Police said Mbakwe was brought to the Ramsey County jail around 7 p.m. Monday night. He was picked up at home in Minneapolis. Bail was set for $500.
St. Paul Police spokesperson Andy Skoogman told 5 Eyewitness News that a woman called police Monday afternoon and told officers Mbakwe made a Facebook posting on her page Sunday that violated his restraining order.
Minnesota recently lost Devoe Joseph, a junior guard from Ontario, Canada, who decided to transfer. Joseph was averaging 11.2 points and 3.5 assists per game. The Gophers are also without Maurice Walker, a freshman center, who suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee.
