New Minnesota transfer Zach Lofton has been dismissed from the team -- effective immediately -- for failing to meet the expectations and obligations of the team per a press release issued on 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. The 6-foot-4 guard originally hails from St. Paul and attended St. Bernard's for two years until it closed, and then Columbia Heights High School. Afterwards, he played at Quakerdale Prep, San Jacinto College-Central and Illinois State for one year each before arriving in Minnesota.
Last year, the highly athletic Lofton averaged 11.3 points and three rebounds and shot just 33.9 percent from the field and 29.2 percent from three-point range, but the Gophers' staff seemed to believe he possessed the ability to post much better numbers.
Minnesota's season officially begins on November 14. The Gophers 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 apparently snapped at a couple of times for his poor body language.
Lofton's departure immediately opens up a scholarship on the Gophers' roster.
