BREAKING: Mizzou Basketball Transfer Connor Vanover Ruled Out for Arkansas-Pine Bluff
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Just 90 minutes prior to the first tipoff of Missouri men's basketball's 2023-24 campaign, the Tigers were made privy to some unlucky news.
Connor Vanover, the Tigers' newest 7-foot-5 transfer, would not be playing in the season opener. In fact, he would be out for multiple games based on eligibility.
"Vanover ... will miss the first three games of the season due to his participation in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in April," the Tigers announced via press release Monday evening. "A first-year transfer from Oral Roberts, Vanover was named the Summit League Defensive Player of the Year last season and an all-conference first-team selection."
Mar 7, 2023; Sioux Falls, SD, USA; Oral Roberts Golden Eagles forward Connor Vanover (35) warms up before the game against the North Dakota State Bison at Denny Sanford Premier Center.
© Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Sure, it's protocol to include some statistics along with the release, but those numbers are impressive — which is why the Tigers targeted him in the first place — and will likely be sorely missed against the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions.
But more than that, missing the first three games of the season means that the transfer center wouldn't be eligible to debut until Nov 16 against Minnesota. That means missing out on Missouri's first major game of the year against Memphis.
Vanover's participation in Portsmouth went against NCAA guidelines, given that the tournament serves as a pre-NBA draft camp — which the organization recognizes.
"Please be advised that, due to NCAA rules governing the NBA pre-Draft process, participating in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament may adversely impact a college player’s ability to return to college," the P.I.T writes on its site, directly addressing players with remaining college eligibility.
Vanover seems to have been stuck in a gray area, and didn't come out of it completely unscathed. The Tigers are likely relieved that their transfer was only penalized for three games, however, especially with how highly coach Dennis Gates spoke of him.
"[Vanover is] a guy that causes matchup problems because you look at him in height, I look at him just as a basketball player," Gates said. "He’s the tallest guard in the country."
Without Vanover, the Tigers will tipoff against the Golden Lions inside a newly-renovated Mizzou Arena. The 7-foot-5 "guard" will just have to wait a little longer to play and longer to debut at home.
Tipoff Monday evening is set for 7 p.m. CST.
