A CBSSports.com wire report states that Minnesota freshman Royce White faces misdemeanor charges of theft and fifth-degree assault after police said the forward tried to shoplift a pair of pants and shoved a security officer repeatedly when confronted.
The alleged crime occurred at a Macy’s at the Mall of America. Royce allegedly wore an unpaid pair of pants under his sweat pants, pushed away a store worker when confronted and walked out. He was later apprehended by Bloomington police and forced to return the item along with a stolen shirt worth about $100 combined.
Minnesota coach Tubby Smith suspended White indefinitely along with senior guard Devron Bostick for violations of team rules he wouldn’t identify. Police said Bostick wasn’t involved in the incident with Royce at the mall, so it’s unclear what the guard did to merit the punishment.
No. 25 Minnesota’s first regular season game is Nov. 13 against Tennessee Tech. The Gophers have two exhibition games prior to that.
