Former Minnesota Mr. Basketball winner Joe Coleman was granted his release from the Gophers on Wednesday, allowing him to transfer.
Gophers head coach Richard Pitino tells the Star Tribune that he didn’t want Coleman to leave.
“I thought he would have been a nice piece to what we’re doing. But I think Joe had thought about it over the last couple of weeks about potentially getting a change in scenery. I wish him nothing but the best. He’s a really good kid. He deserves a lot of success.”
As soon as Coleman was granted his release, Pitino brought in Malik Smith — a 6-foot-2 guard who played for Pitino at Florida International last season.
Amelia Rayno caught up with Smith for brief Q&A.
