Report: 2 more Missouri basketball players hit transfer portal

Two more Missouri basketball players have entered the transfer portal, according to a report.

That’s per PowerMizzou.com’s Gabe DeArmond and Mitchell Forde, who say sophomore Parker Braun and senior Mark Smith will be leaving the Tigers’ program. Xavier Pinson already entered the transfer portal earlier this week.

Smith could have decided to stick around for another season of college basketball due to the pandemic. The NCAA has granted all athletes an additional year of eligibility.

Smith, who started his career at Illinois, will be a graduate transfer. He averaged 10.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game over three seasons with the Tigers.

According to Dave Matter of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, there’s no ill will between Smith and Missouri.

I haven't talked to Mark Smith today, but I'm told "no ill will" with Mizzou in regards to his decision. He's got strong relationships with Mizzou program. Martin has praised him as much as any player in the program the last four years.

— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) March 27, 2021

Braun is transferring after playing sparingly over two seasons with Missouri. This season, he averaged 2.8 points and 9.3 minutes per contest.

These transfers will allow Mizzou head coach Cuonzo Martin to continue to be active in the transfer market. The Tigers have already earned a pledge from Wisconsin-Green Bay guard Amari Davis, who averaged 16.5 points per game this season.

Missouri’s 2020 campaign came to an end in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.