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University spokesman Dan Wolter says White has withdrawn from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.