Parents: Joel's days as a Gopher are over

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota coach Dan Monson said he wouldn't speculate about the future of Joel Przybilla, but the star center's parents confirmed their son will probably leave Minnesota and head for the NBA.

After Minnesota's 89-80 loss to Illinois Thursday night, Monson said he hadn't talked to Przybilla, who was not in Williams Arena for the game. Monson suspended the 7-foot-1 sophomore on Tuesday for not paying enough attention to academics, but he left the door open for Przybilla to return.

But the Monticello native's parents said their son's career at Minnesota was likely over. Doug Przybilla said it was the result of a long-brewing conflict between his son and Monson.

''To be honest with you, my wife and I would have preferred he stay here,'' Doug Przybilla told the Star Tribune Thursday. ''But it came to a point where he had basically had it.''

Linda Przybilla told the newspaper that she and her husband told their son they would back whatever decision he made. Joel Przybilla had expressed frustration over Clem Haskins' ouster in the wake of an academic fraud scandal. The Gophers have also been banned for one year from postseason play.

''It's just been one horrendous thing after another here and I've been trying to block everything out,'' Linda Przybilla said. ''We're kind of numb ourselves, I guess.''

Monson said Przybilla hadn't been attending classes since he was suspended. Przybilla could not be reached for comment Thursday and was said to be out of town.

The Saint Paul Pioneer Press first reported Thursday that sources close to Przybilla said the player will not return to the team this season and plans to enter the NBA draft.

This season, Przybilla averaged 17.2 points and 11.2 rebounds in 11 Big Ten games. He was recently chosen as the Big Ten Player of the Week after scoring 33 points and grabbing 14 rebounds against Indiana.