Minnesota Golden Gopher's Trevor Mbakwe Named Team USA Finalist

Trevor Mbakwe is one of the best players in the Big Ten and is the best player on the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers squad, now he is one of the 14 finalists in the competition to make the 12-man Team USA roster for the 2011 World University Games in China.

Mbakwe is one of two players on the squad that is from the Big Ten, the other being Michigan State forward Draymond Green. Team USA will play in two exhibition games before the actual tournament begins on August 13, before which two more players need to be cut from the squad.

This only will progress Mbakwe’s status as an elite player in the country. Last year in his first year under head coach Tubby Smith, Mbakwe’s averages were all on Big Ten leaderboards:

13.9 points per game – 15th in Big Ten

10.5 rebounds per game - 1st in Big Ten

1.5 blocks per game - Tied for 4th in Big Ten

.582 field goal percentage – 2nd in Big Ten

Mbakwe is gaining more national prominence with his Team USA experience and single handedly keep the Golden Gophers somewhat in the spotlight. After a promising start to the season, last year’s Gophers fell off the map after the season ending injury to Al Nolen which would result in Blake Hoffarber having to run the show. Now it’s a new year and a year to prove something for Mbakwe and head coach Tubby Smith, this national team play will only boost Mbakwe’s skill and hopefully the Golden Gophers performance next year in the Big Ten.