The Missouri men’s basketball team added to its recruiting class on Friday with the signing of 7-foot-5 transfer Connor Vanover.
One of the most versatile post players in the nation, Vanover helped lead Oral Roberts to a record campaign during the 2022-23 season as the Golden Eagles won the Summit League regular season and tournament titles, advanced to the NCAA Tournament and also collected its most wins since becoming a Division I program with 30 victories. Vanover enjoyed success on both sides of the court, ranking second in the country with 3.2 blocks per game and connecting on the second-most 3-pointers (46) by a 7-foot player nationally.
“With Connor, we’ve addressed a potential area of improvement in our rebounding and rim protection,” said Whitten Family Men’s Basketball Head Coach Dennis Gates. “He also allows us to maintain our style of play with his ability to shoot the ball and play a quick-paced five-out system. Connor is an experienced winner at the collegiate level with both NCAA Tournament and SEC familiarity. His character aligns with our core values and we’re excited about what he will add to our roster.”
The Summit League Defensive Player and Newcomer of the Year as well as earning first-team all-conference honors, Vanover led the Golden Eagles in rebounding (7.2) and blocks (3.2) during the 2022-23 campaign. His 110 blocks established a new school record, while he also placed second on the team with 12.7 points and third with his 46 made triples. Overall, he finished the season by shooting 51.7 percent from the field, 32.4 percent from 3-point range and 81.4 percent from the free-throw line.
A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Vanover also spent two seasons at Arkansas (2020-22) and one year at California (2018-19), appearing in 72 games with 52 starting assignments. During his first three collegiate seasons, Vanover totaled 452 points (6.3 per game), 245 rebounds and 95 blocks.
Vanover is Mizzou’s sixth signee of the spring period as the Tigers currently own the No. 2 class in the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings and the No. 6 class according to EvanMiya. Vanover, Indiana transfer Tamar Bates, Campbell transfer Jesus Carralero, Iowa State transfer Caleb Grill, National Junior College Player of the Year Curt Lewis and Colorado State John Tonje join a program that is coming off one its most successful campaigns in years during the 2022-23 season as the Tigers finished with 25 wins in their first season under Gates – their most in 11 campaigns – while claiming their first NCAA Tournament victory in 13 years.
Mizzou also owns a top-25 freshman class – signing Jordan Butler, Trent Pierce and Anthony Robinson II to National Letters of Intent in November to go with preferred walk-ons in JV Brown and Danny Stephens.
