Gophers announce Kevin Dorsey to transfer from U

Gophers guard Kevin Dorsey, one of three players suspended for the end of this year's Gophers basketball season, will leave the program, the team announced in a release on Monday.

"After discussion with Kevin and his family, we all feel that is best for him to transfer and get closer to home," coach Richard Pitino said in the release. "We wish Kevin nothing but the best moving forward and will assist him in the process in any way that we can."

The 6-foot Maryland native averaged 6.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 18.3 minutes per game in his freshman season at Minnesota but was benched for the final four games after sex videos appeared on his social media pages.

Dorsey — who was the only Gophers player recognized in the videos by those who saw them — missed the last three regular-season games and a first-round loss in the Big Ten tournament. Freshman Dupree McBrayer and sophomore Nate Mason were also suspended for the same stretch; their involvement in the incidents was never made clear by the university.

Associate athletic communications director Dan Reisig said last month that all three players had been reinstated and that there would be no further punishment.

Dorsey, a four-star recruit according to ESPN.com, is known for his speed and driving ability. He came to Minnesota as part of a highly touted 2015 class. Dorsey backed up both the point guard and shooting guard positions and was considered a major part of the program's backcourt future.

Including Dorsey, six players have left the program in Richard Pitino's three years. Wally Ellenson, Josh Martin and Dorsey transferred; Zach Lofton and Carlos Morris were dismissed from the team for disciplinary reasons; and Daquein McNeil did not return to school after being charged with double felony assault.