Spencer Tollackson recently signed a contract with the Digibu Baskets Paderborn professional club in Paderborn, Germany, according to Gophers officials. Tollackson, who averaged 7.9 points and 3.7 rebounds during his career with the Gophers, was considering a return to baseball after his college basketball career ended in March but will instead suit up with a team that plays in the top division of the Bundesliga league.

For months, rumors have suggested that Royce White was preparing to transfer to another high school for the second time since the spring. White, who was kicked out of De La Salle earlier this year, said Friday afternoon, however, that there’s no way he’ll play for any other school but Hopkins during his senior year.

“There’s nothing possible that’s going to make me go anywhere else other than Hopkins,” he said. “I’m playing my senior year at Hopkins High School.”

Hopkins coach Ken Novak said White’s under a lot of pressure because of his talent, which fuels rumors about him. Novak said former Hopkins star Kris Humphries endured similar scrutiny when he was in high school.

But the current buzz surrounding White has nothing to do with his next move. During a Howard Pulley summer league game Wednesday, White was kicked out after an altercation with future teammate and Gophers forward Damian Johnson.

White said that Johnson is “my boy,” and he attributed the altercation and ejection, which was preceded by White trash talking and tossing a ball at Johnson when his back was turned, to his competitive spirit.

“Me and Damian were just in a good competition,” White said.

Tubby Smith was upset and befuddled when he learned about White’s verbal sparring session with his future teammate. During a conversation with a colleague, Smith questioned White’s immaturity. And who wouldn’t? White got into a public feud with Johnson, who might be his captain when he joins the team in 2009. That can’t be good for team chemistry.

-I had a chance to watch Osseo’s Sam Dower at the Twin Cities Summer Classic earlier this week. He reminds me of Roy Hibbert. I know he’s 6-9, not seven feet tall. But his mannerisms remind me of Hibbert. That’s a good and bad thing.

It’s a good thing because I think Dower, like Hibbert, will get better with the help of a collegiate strength training program and Division I coaching/competition. But I question his motor. I saw too many lost rebounds and unchallenged shots when he was in the game. But he also showed some impressive moves underneath the basket and used his length well when he wanted to.

I understand why Iowa and other Division I schools want him. But I also understand why coaches like Tubby Smith aren’t 100 percent sold on his game. He’s definitely a project. But I think he has a lot of potential.

-Jamal Abu-Shamala scored 11 points Friday and helped the Jordan national team win the William Jones Cup in China.

Next year’s roster features two guys with international experience (Devoe Joseph, Abu-Shamala), a two-time ESPY award nominee (Blake Hoffarber), the former national prep scoring champ (Lawrence Westbrook), the son of one of the greatest college basketball players ever (Ralph Sampson III), two NCAA champs (Tubby and Saul Smith) and a national juco player of the year (Devron Bostick). That’s some resume.

-Former Michigan State point guard Drew Neitzel is averaging 5.3 points per game for the T-Wolves summer league squad. Former Gophers forward Dan Coleman only played seven minutes in one appearance. He didn’t score, but he recorded one block.

-What else will go wrong with Indiana basketball?

-Rodney Williams Jr. has performed well at camps and AAU tournaments throughout the United States and has continued to solidify his standing as one of the top players in the country. I think Royce White is a more complete player at this juncture, but Williams’ ceiling is higher.

An obvious target of the Gophers, Williams has listed Minnesota among the schools he’s considering. And even though he’s received offers from schools around the country, I’ve been told by sources close to Williams’ recruiting process that his father would like his son to stay close to home, a sentiment reiterated by another source last week.

That doesn’t mean he’ll choose the Gophers. He has offers from Iowa, Bradley, Iowa State and Wisconsin, too.

But my sources suggest that his father doesn’t want him to play anywhere that forces him to drive a long distance to see him play. My sources also said that Williams did well academically last semester and they’re confident that he’ll do what he takes to qualify to play in 2009-10.

-Sam Dower, a 6-9 forward from Osseo, is picking up steam along the recruiting trail. He’s reportedly picked up offers from Iowa, Marquette and Colorado State. And the Gophers are also interested. But if he intends to play for Minnesota next year, he’s  not helping his cause, according to one insider.

Dower hasn’t heeded to the Gophers’ requests for him to attend various Minnesota team camps and workouts this summer. He has reportedly traveled a lot this summer, which is why he hasn’t accepted Minnesota’s invitations. But the insider said it feels like Dower isn’t giving Gophers officials the opportunity to complete a more thorough analysis of his game. And based on what they’ve seen so far, he has some work to do to convince them that he’s ready for Big Ten ball. But Minnesota, along with a number of other schools, will attend this weekend’s TC Summer Classic in the western suburbs, where Dower’s skills will be on display.

A Gophers insider told me earlier this week that former Gophers point guard Lawrence McKenzie recently received an offer from a German professional team for $60,000 a year.

McKenzie, a 6-2 guard, has been working out six days a week at a local YMCA with his father, Larry, to stay in shape. Larry McKenzie said at least seven European teams are interested in McKenzie’s services, but some of the teams want him to play point guard, while the others want him on the wing.

Larry McKenzie said his son is currently weighing his options, but he thinks Lawrence will have to prove himself as a point guard overseas, if he hopes to make a transition back to an American team. If given the chance, Larry McKenzie said Lawrence would probably be torn between plying his trade in Europe and playing in the NBA’s D-League.

-This summer, Damian Johnson has played with a ferocity that Tubby Smith would admire, but he’s not allowed to attend Johnson’s Howard Pulley pro-am games. Johnson has added 15 pounds to his frame, and he now weighs 207, but he’d like to get up to 215 by the start of the season, he said.  Al Nolen has also gained five pounds since the end of the year.

-Blake Hoffarber must be excited about the upcoming ESPYs, his second trip in three years. Johnson said he witnessed Hoffarber dunk for the first time in a recent open gym.

-After watching Colton Iverson in Howard Pulley, it’s clear to me that that Gophers should go after his clone (based on style of play): Hopkins’ Mike Broghammer.

Hello all.

After a six-week absence, I’m back. My first child, Jasmine, was born May 27 at 7:28 p.m. I took some time off to bond with her and help my wife recover.

During my time off, however, I stayed close to the Gophers grapevine … when I wasn’t preparing baby bottles, washing the shirts my daughter spit up on, sleeping whenever possible and rocking her until she fell asleep only to wake up again 15 minutes later in some sort of infant Gotcha! bit. Here’s what I heard and learned:

-The Gophers like Columbia Heights guard Jacob Thomas. I was at Gophers team camp in Minneapolis, where Minnesota coaches paid close attention to Thomas, a 6-3 scorer in the 2010 class who has good basketball instincts. One Gophers insider admired Thomas’ ability to get the basket with ease. He already has an offer from Northern Iowa, but he wants to play for the Gophers.

Minnesota coaches also noted the playmaking ability of Thomas’ teammate, Markus Shaw, a 5-11 point guard in the 2010 class. Shaw has a lot of speed and during Minnesota team camp, he showed it off. He’s not on a lot of radars, so Minnesota’s perceived interest at a camp frequented by a number of college coaches could help Shaw earn a free ride somewhere.

-Rodney Williams will wait to sign with a school until the fall, according to Rene Pulley. That’s not news. But Pulley also said Williams really likes Tubby Smith and the Gophers and suggested that Williams’ decision to take official visits to other schools doesn’t necessarily mean he’s wide open. He said Williams, like any other teenager, likes the idea of being wined and dined (not literally) by other schools.

-Ralph Sampson has a lot to learn, according to one Gophers insider. That’s not to say that Sampson doesn’t have the basketball IQ and raw skills to become a great player for the Gophers, but when asked if Sampson could become a one-and-done or even a two-and-done player that goes to the pros after a few years, the Gophers insider said Sampson will probably need at least four years to get to that level, which is no guarantee.

I’m sure Ohio State had the same feelings about Kosta Koufos, who was drafted by the Jazz in the first round of the NBA Draft, proving that the combination of height and raw talent too often leads to NBA contracts.

-A long time ago, I wrote that Lawrence Westbrook was on his way out. As he progressed throughout the year, bloggers criticized that prediction. Believe me or not, a very good source told me that Westbrook wasn’t responding well to Tubby Smith’s system. But a year later, another good source told me that the starting shooting guard spot is Westbrook’s to lose, even though Devoe Joseph, Devron Bostick and Blake Hoffarber could all compete for minutes at that position.

-Blake Hoffarber is up for an ESPY, again. That’s fine. But I covered the game that was the scene of his second infamous shot. I was actually standing over Hoffarber and his teammates as they jumped on him in front of press row after he nailed the buzzer beater. All I’m saying is that I think my performance deserves some mention in his acceptance speech. I’d even appreciate being the guy in the crowd who shakes his hand before he walks toward the podium to accept his award. Assuming he wins. And barring any unforeseen ethical violations.

Gophers coach Don Lucia said Tuesday that his program is much better prepared this year for the surprise loss of players like Stu Bickel than in other recent seasons.

Bickel, who would have been a sophomore defenseman, signed with the Anaheim Ducks this week.

“We’ve recruited enough guys,” Lucia said. “We still have 27 players.”

Indeed, the Gophers are bringing in 12 freshmen, including three defensmen. That has to be one of the U’s largest recruiting classes. At least two are walk-ons. Read the rest of this entry »

Defenseman Stu Bickel of the Gophers signed with the Anaheim Ducks of the NHL on Tuesday.

“I thought about it long and hard,” said the 6-3, 210-pound Bickel who had one goal and six assists last season as a freshman. “In the end, I thought it was the best decision [to sign]. I thought it was the right decision.

“I really enjoyed my time [at the University of Minnesota]. I liked the coaching staff. Obviously, the hardest part for me, by far, was leaving the guys on that team because of the relationships I had developed with those guys.”

He signed a three-year, two-way free agent contract with the Ducks and will probably be assigned to Des Moines of the AHL.

“It’s a big blow,” Gophers coach Don Lucia said.

As a college football fan, I always felt that I had the best beat at this paper. That didn’t change in my five seasons of covering the Gophers, Big Ten and college football.

But in saying that, I’m excited about a new challenge that awaits. I’m moving to the Vikings beat after five memorable seasons of covering the Gophers.

To say my time with the Gophers was often crazy would be an understatement. Five seasons is not terribly long, but I chronicled arguably the top rushing offense in NCAA history and one of the worst defenses in NCAA history.

I got to write about the Gophers winning in the Big House and blowing the largest lead in bowl game history. I covered the Michigan meltdown in ‘03 and the Wisconsin collapse in ‘05. I covered a 10-3 season and a 1-11 season.

I covered every one of Laurence Maroney’s college games, saw Greg Eslinger go from unknown recruit to Outland Trophy winner and watched Bryan Cupito develop into a fine college quarterback and even better person. There are too many other examples to list.

I also met many good people who love college football as much as I do and made new friends along the way. 

The thing I found hard about covering college football is that I didn’t get to watch it as much as I would like. Too busy writing about a game.

Hopefully that will change now. Maybe I’ll even see you at a game. Cheers.

Chip

I just finished up my work for the daily paper and wanted to check in here with some observations from the news regarding Sam Maresh.

I was surprised at how well Sam and his family handled the entire announcement today. I was so struck by Sam’s calmness that I asked him if he’s scared because you couldn’t sense it. He said yeah and kind of laughed.

I’ve gotten to know Sam fairly well through the recruiting process and I can tell you he’s a great kid. I’ve always walked away from our conversations thinking he has it all together.

This is obviously a tough deal for him and his family but Sam is hopeful and even confident that he will be able to play football again. He has a long road ahead of him, but I have no doubt that he will do everything that is necessary.

I’ll have a full report in tomorrow’s paper, but there are a few notes I didn’t get in. Sam obviously will remain on scholarship. That’s a given. If in the future his heart condition is deemed career ending, the school can petition to get a non-counting waiver from the NCAA, meaning he will stay on scholarship but will not count toward the 85 limit. I’m pretty sure this is what happend with Brandon Owens.

Kent Youngblood of our staff talked to Fred Hoiberg today. Hoiberg said he would be happy to talk to Sam about the situation and give him any advice or insight as to what to expect.

Hoiberg’s NBA career was cut short because of a heart defect. His surgeon — Dr. Hartzell Schaff at Mayo — will also perform Sam’s surgery on June 26.

Gophers head coach Don Lucia, with help from assistants John Hill and probably Mike Hastings, will run his Model hockey camp next week. Hastings was recently hired and starts work June 9.

Enough players for 12 18-player teams have signed up to practice and play games from Monday thru Saturday at Mariucci and Ridder arenas. Many of the state’s best will be there. Some are committed to colleges, but it gives Lucia a good look at those who are not while he tries to give them tips to be better players.

Here is a look at the teams, named after colors, and some comments:

Red team: Has future Gophers Nick Leddy, a defenseman from Eden Prairie, and Zach Budish, a forward from Edina. Both have committed to the U and are expected to sign for the 2009-10 season. Budish at 6-2, 211 is hard to miss. Also on the team is forward Nick Oliver of Roseau, whose father coaches the Rams, and Roseau goalie Mike Lee.

Gold team: Has forward Ben Arnt who played for Omaha of the USHL this past season and forward Ben Hanowski who played on a high-scoring line at Little Falls.

White team: Has forward Josh Birkholz of Blake, another player who will join the U for the 2009-10 season.

Black team: Has defenseman Jake Gardiner of Minnetonka who has signed with Wisconsin.

Maroon team: has three other ‘09 Gopher recruits, 6-3 1/2, 200-pound Seth Helgeson, a defenseman from Faribault;  forward Jake Youso of Int’l Falls, and forward Nate Condon of Wausau (Wis.) West.

Blue team: Has Roseau defenseman Aaron Ness, probably the top prospect joining the Gophers for the ‘08-09 season and foru player from Edina, including goalie Derrick Caschetta.

Red team: Has forward Nick Nagel of Totino-Grace, one of the biggest player in camp. He is 6-2 1/2, 207.

Gold team: Has defenseman Grant Fahnhorst of Wayzata. He is 6-4, 208. Also on the team is his Trojans teammate, goalie Joe Howe.

White team: Has two forwards from Class 2A state champion Hill-Murray, Tyler Zepeda and Dan Cecka.

Black team: This team also has two Pioneers, goalie Joe Phillippi and defenseman Dan Sova, 6-2 1/2, 207.

Maroon team: Has three forward from Burnsville, Tyler Barnes, Jake Hendrickson and Adam Perisic.

Blue team: Has four players from St. Thomas Academy, including forward Ryan Walters who has committed to the U for 2010-11.