Missouri loses forward to transfer portal after 1 season with the program

Missouri Tigers forward Mitchell Smith has announced his departure from the program, entering his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal. Smith, a highly-touted recruit out of Arkansas, had come to Columbia with great expectations, but his lone season with the Tigers was one of underachievement and unfulfilled potential.

In the 2019-20 campaign, Smith appeared in 26 games, averaging 4.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 12.3 minutes per contest. While the 6-foot-10 forward showcased his defensive versatility, he struggled to assert himself offensively, shooting just 39.7% from the field and 31.8% from three-point range. Smith’s lack of production was a major disappointment for a player who had been a top-100 recruit and was expected to make an immediate impact in the Southeastern Conference.

With the departure of Smith, Missouri’s frontcourt depth has taken a hit. The Tigers are now without three of their four main contributors from the 2019-20 season, as Jeremiah Tilmon and Reed Nikko have already exhausted their eligibility. The loss of Smith further depletes the Missouri rotation; however, the Tigers have shown a willingness to dip into the transfer portal to supplement their roster.

The future remains bright for Smith, as he has the opportunity to reset in a new environment and begin to make good on the promise he displayed at the high school level. His departure from the Tigers does leave a void that must be filled, but Missouri should be well-equipped to find suitable replacements.