When Tubby Smith signed his much heralded recruiting class two years ago, one of the centerpieces of the class was Trevor Mbakwe, an intimidating PF with loads of athleticism and potential. At a chiseled 6-8, 240lbs, Mbakwe looks to be in mid-season form and Gopher fans hope to see him in maroon and gold cleaning the glass and swatting shots into the student section. Unfortunately an unresolved court case kept Mbakwe in street clothes this past year, but despite his upcoming trial, Mbakwe has remained focused on what matters to him most: his family, his academics and his basketball career.

GopherHole’s Nadine Babu caught up with Mbakwe at the Howard Pulley League where Mbakwe passionately discussed how the love for his son keeps him focused and grounded and how he still considers himself a Gopher.

Trevor Mbakwe

GH: Can you set the record straight, did you visit Memphis?
TM: Yes.

GH: Tell me about your Memphis visit?
TM: I had a good time. It was nice to see a different place and city. I had a good visit and it was nice seeing some guys I used to play with and visit a city that shows so much support for the basketball team.

GH: Tell me about Josh Pastner?
TM: I loved Coach Pastner. He recruited me when he was at Arizona when I was a sophomore year in high school so we are really familiar with each other.

GH: If you did transfer if your trial gets pushed back, will you be able to play this year?
TM: I would file for a waiver with the NCAA and I would know within 30 days if I would receive it and there would be a good chance of it.

GH: What other schools have expressed interest in you?
TM: Georgia Tech, Arizona, California, St. Louis and UW-Milwaukee to name a few.

GH: What is your trial date?
TM: It is July 26 in Miami.

GH: Why have there been so many delays?
TM: The last time on June 7 there was a new judge assigned to the case so that played into the delay.

GH: Why was it delayed prior to that?
TM: I knew it wasn’t going to happen during the season. It kept getting pushed back because my witnesses were playing during the college basketball season.

Have you considered pleading down a misdemeanor, or has your lawyer advised you to do this?
TM: No, I have not thought about pleading down and my attorney has never mentioned it to me. We all feel pretty comfortable about the case.

GH: Tell me what this past year has been like?
TM: It’s been a long gig, but it’s funny how fast it has gone by. When it is over it will be a huge burden off my back.

GH: What is your status as far as the Gophers go?
TM: Right now, I’m a Gopher. I didn’t really like how things played out this year but I’m not exactly sure what the future holds.

GH: Joel Maturi said he would reconsider your case if it got pushed back again. What has Joel communicated to you?
TM: He hasn’t told me personally he would reconsider if the trial gets pushed back. I read it in the paper.

GH: How has Tubby been through all of this?
TM: He wants me to play. He has been great, absolutely wonderful.

GH: You have done everything asked of you this past year. How have you gotten through all of this?
TM: Him (pointing at his son, Makhi). He made me grow up so fast and forced me to be mature during this process. I have to do it for him.

Talk about Gopher Basketball on our Gopher Basketball message board.