New Gophers men's basketball transfer Zach Lofton was dismissed for failing to meet the expectations and obligations of the team, according to a news release issued Wednesday evening.
"While decisions like this are always difficult, we felt it was in the interest of our program to move forward at this time," coach Richard Pitino said in the release. "We wish Zach nothing but the best in the future."
Lofton, who joined the team this season, has made more than a few stops in his high school and college career. The 6-4 guard originally hails from St. Paul and attended St. Bernard's for two years until it closed, then went to Columbia Heights. Afterward, he played at Quakerdale Prep in New Providence, Iowa, San Jacinto College-Central in Houston and Illinois State for one year each before arriving in Minnesota.
Last year, the athletic Lofton averaged 11.3 points and three rebounds but shot only 33.9 percent from the field and 29.2 percent from three-point range for Illinois State, but the Gophers' staff seemed to believe he possessed the ability to post much better numbers.
The Gophers' season officially begins Nov. 14, when they play Louisville in Puerto Rico. They had their first open scrimmage on Sunday, during which the transfer — who would have redshirted this season, per NCAA transfer rules — was seen arguing with teammates and was apparently snapped at a couple of times for his poor body language.
