Mizzou Forward Trent Pierce Set to Resume Practice Early Next Week
Missouri men’s basketball forward Trent Pierce will miss the next week of action after undergoing a successful ear procedure on Tuesday. However, the freshman is set to resume practice early next week after a short-term recovery process.
Pierce appeared in 16 games with two starting assignments before missing the last seven contests with an ear infection. While playing just over six minutes per game thus far, he's averaged 1.9 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.1 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.3 blocks.
The consensus 4-star recruit out of AZ Compass Prep is Mizzou's highest-ranked player since 2017. He helped lead his high school team to the GEICO High School National Championship game. In the semifinal victory over IMG Academy, Pierce tallied 12 points, including 3-of-4 makes from behind the arc, and seven rebounds.
In his junior campaign at Union High School in Tulsa, Okla., Pierce averaged 16 points and 11 boards per game.
Even when healthy, the 19-year-old's impact and potential are yet to be seen due to his restricted time on the floor, but the Tigers are certainly in need of some changes as they're 0-13 against the SEC thus far. In fact, after Tuesday night's loss to No. 5 Tennessee, Mizzou head coach Dennis Gates made headlines during the postgame press conference.
As previously stated, the 6-foot-10 forward is recovering from the recent procedure, but he'll miss this week's action against Arkansas on Saturday. Nevertheless, he will return to practice early next week and might have a shot to play against No. 24 Florida on Wednesday, Feb. 28.
There are three games left in the regular season after those two, and increasing Pierce's minutes probably couldn't hurt as Missouri is trying to not be on the wrong side of history by finishing the year winless against the SEC. Additionally, Pierce finishing the season on a positive note could be very beneficial for his sophomore campaign.
