Missouri announces three-game suspension for graduate transfer Connor Vanover

7-foot-3 graduate transfer center Connor Vanover represented one of the most exciting additions to Missouri‘s basketball team this offseason, committing to the Tigers in June after entering the transfer portal. But unfortunately for Mizzou, they’ll have to start the 2023-2024 season without him.

The program announced Monday that Vanover would not be able to play in the first three games of the season for the Tigers, as the center will have to serve a three-game suspension for playing in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in April.

The Portsmouth Invitational Tournament is a pre-NBA draft camp and tournament where seniors compete in front of NBA teams and international scouts, and Vanover’s participation paired with returning for another collegiate season goes against NCAA guidelines.

The announcement comes a few hours before Missouri’s first game of the season versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff, which Vanover will have to miss along with the Tigers’ games against Memphis and SIU Edwardsville, priming him for his Mizzou debut against Minnesota on November 16.

Missouri is the fourth stop of Vanover’s collegiate career, last playing at Oral Roberts where he helped lead the Golden Eagles to Summit League regular season and tournament titles and an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Last season Vanover averaged 12.7 points per game for Oral Roberts, leading the team with 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game as well on his way to first-team all-conference selection and earning Summit League Defensive Player and Newcomer of the Year.

The Little Rock native spent his previous two seasons at Arkansas and his freshman year at Cal, which all culminated in the best season of his college career last year for ORU.

Vanover attended the prestigious Findlay Prep High School in Henderson, Nevada where he was a three-star prospect ranked the No. 26 center in the country and the No. 230 overall player in the nation for the 2018 recruiting cycle according to On3’s Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

But after entering the transfer portal this offseason, he was ranked the No. 110 overall player and the No. 16 center available in the portal according to On3’s 2023 College Basketball Transfer Portal Player Rankings.

Following his commitment to Missouri this summer, Vanover cited head coach Dennis Gates and assistant David Nutt as reasons he chose the Tigers telling On3, “I chose Missouri because of fit and style of play. They have one of the top offenses in America and I am excited to be a part of what Coach Gates is building in Columbia. I loved my visit meeting and spending time with staff. I feel my unique skill set can help compliment many areas.”

“Coach Nutt and I had a good connection from our first phone call with his ties with Little Rock. Coach Gates is one of the hottest coaches in America. I believe they can help me reach more of my potential than I have before.”