Gopher Quits School

Sun., Sept. 21, 1997

Compiled From Wire Services

The University of Minnesota gave Courtney James a chance to stay in school, straighten out his personal life and, eventually, return to the basketball team. He refused.

James, a 6-foot-8 forward, convicted this summer in a domestic assault case after helping the Golden Gophers to the Final Four last spring, has decided to leave school and pursue a professional basketball career, likely in Europe or in a U.S. minor league. James made his decision after UM told him he would be suspended for the 1997-98 season.

James was accused of hitting his girlfriend in the face with an address book.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Gopher Quits School

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

A Grip on Sports: Mark Few's belief in Gonzaga's future not only led the program to a place among the nation's best, it led him to basketball's Hall of Fame

Gonzaga coach Mark Few reportedly voted into Naismith Hall of Fame: 'One of the best our game has ever seen'

Mark Few's loyalty, pedigree pay off with admittance to basketball's most exclusive club | Dave Boling