Gopher Basketball: Chris Halvorsen to transfer

Dec 13, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers Kendal Shell (left) forward Chris Halvorsen (middle) and forward Trevor Mbakwe (right) celebrate a basket during the second half against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Williams Arena. Minnesota defeated Central Michigan 76-56. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Redshirt senior Chris Halvorsen will transfer from the University of Minnesota and will look to play elsewhere in his final year of eligibility.

The St. Paul native played only 16 minutes in 2012-13, but he was a good teammate and student off the court. Halvorsen was named to the All-Academic Big Ten last season.

Halvorsen was a walk-on and had to sit out his first year with the Gophers after transferring from Valparaiso. A three-star recruit out of high school, Halvorsen played in only nine games for Valparaiso in his freshman year.

This is the first transfer the Gophers have faced this off-season and no reason for the transfer was given.

While his absence won’t affect Rich Pitino’s Gophers any better or any worse, Minnesota will miss his towel-swinging and bench antics.

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