Braeden Carrington Steps Away from Gophers Men’s Basketball Team

Minnesota Gophers starting wing, Braeden Carrington, is stepping away from the Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball team to focus on his mental health, both he and the team announced on Tuesday.

Braeden Carrington stepping away from Gophers MBB team

In his statement on Twitter, Carrington expressed the need to improve in certain areas of his life, going on to tweet that he “must step away from the program and put myself first”. He does plan to return, according to his tweet.

There's areas of my life I am looking to improve and must step away from the program and put myself first. I plan on returning to the team when the time is right. For now please respect my space and allow me to ultimately do what's best for me. Thank you gopher fans

— braeden carrington (@braedencarri4) December 12, 2023

Braeden, who is from Minneapolis and went to Park Center high school, has played a significant role in what Ben Johnson’s 2023-24 Gophers are trying to accomplish on both sides of the floor.

Related: Can 2023-24 Minnesota Gophers Make the NCAA Tournament?

Carrington having really good season

Minnesota is 7-3 in no small part due to the consistency the 6-4 sophomore has provided to the Gophers’ starting lineup on both sides of the floor, especially of late. In his 10 starts this season, Carrington is averaging of 5.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, along with playing a key role on defense.

Braeden Carrington with the POSTER dunk! 🤯 😱 @GopherMBB pic.twitter.com/aem4JzkdZc

— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) November 7, 2023

Nonetheless, it’s difficult to help the team if you’re struggling yourself. Hopefully, he can get right and we see him back on the court and in a good place sooner, rather than later.

Minnesota playing short through final non-conference games

The Gophers have three non-conference games remaining through the end of December. When the new year starts, the Big Ten basketball season resumes and life will get a lot more difficult.

They played their first of four mid-season non-conference games over the weekend without star big man, Dawson Garcia, and pulled out an easy victory over Florida Gulf Coast. He’ll miss Tuesday’s game vs IUPUI, as well.

Read all of our blogs about the Gophers men’s basketball team