Mbakwe Cleared!

According to Todd Rosiak, Trevor Mbakwe has been cleared to play.

Freshman forward Trevor Mbakwe was given the all-clear by the NCAA Clearinghouse this afternoon, just three days before the official open of practice.

"Thrilled for the program, but really excited for him because it's been wearing on him," said coach Tom Crean. "He's done, in my opinion and I think in everyone else's, an incredible job of staying focused, going through the daily process of being a college student and not knowing what was next when it comes to something that he loves."

The 6-foot-7, 240-pound Mbakwe is expected to step in and play a large role for MU immediately. His academic record had been undergoing scrutiny and he had been barred from any organized team activities while the process was underway, much like Lazar Hayward a season ago.

Whew!