NCAAM teams
Myron Medcalf, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Gophers dismiss Zach Lofton

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Minnesota coach Richard Pitino took a risk on a young player, and it didn't work out.

Per a Wednesday release from the school, junior Zach Lofton, a transfer from Illinois State, was dismissed by the program for "failing to meet the expectations and obligations of the team." He was slated to sit out in 2014-15 due to NCAA transfer rules.

Lofton, a St. Paul, Minn., native, was suspended for three games toward the end of last season at Illinois State. He also had behavioral issues in high school.

"While decisions like this are always difficult, we felt it was in the interest of our program to move forward at this time," Pitino said via the school's release. "We wish Zach nothing but the best in the future."

He averaged 11.3 PPG for Illinois State last year and was pegged as a guard who could help the Gophers in the future with DeAndre Mathieu and Andre Hollins graduating after the upcoming season.

Lofton will be allowed to keep his scholarship this season.

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