Missouri’s Annor Boateng Out for Season Following Leg Surgery
Missouri men’s basketball will be without sophomore small forward Annor Boateng for the rest of the 2025-26 season after the team confirmed he underwent successful surgery on his left leg. The announcement came Wednesday, a few days after Boateng suffered the injury during Missouri’s win over Mississippi State.
The injury occurred in the second half at Mizzou Arena, and it was one of those moments that silences a crowd instantly. Boateng was attacking the rim-driving hard downhill, looking to finish with authority-when he slipped going up for a dunk.
He hit the floor hard and stayed down, clearly in pain. It didn’t take long for head coach Dennis Gates and the Tigers’ medical staff to rush to his side.
As play briefly continued, the concern on the Missouri sideline was palpable. Moments later, Boateng was carted off the court in an air cast, but not before acknowledging the home crowd with a heart-shaped hand gesture-a small but powerful moment that drew a standing ovation from Mizzou fans.
While the team hasn’t provided a specific diagnosis or a detailed recovery timeline, what’s clear is that Boateng won’t return this season. Whether he’ll be ready for the start of the next campaign will depend on the nature of the injury.
If it’s something like an ACL tear, he could face a longer rehab that stretches into next year. If it’s a dislocation or less severe structural damage, there’s optimism he’ll be back in time for the fall.
Because he’s played in more than a third of Missouri’s games this season, Boateng isn’t eligible for a medical hardship waiver, meaning this year will count against his eligibility.
Statistically, Boateng’s numbers don’t jump off the page-2.7 points and 1.8 rebounds per game in about 11.6 minutes of action-but those numbers don’t tell the full story. He’s been a steady presence off the bench, especially on the defensive end, where his athleticism and motor have added a spark in key moments. Over the past few games, he had started to carve out a more defined role, showing signs of growth and confidence.
Gates, speaking after Saturday’s game, acknowledged the tough break for the sophomore, saying injuries like this are often season-ending and expressing his support for Boateng’s recovery.
For Missouri, the loss stings-not just because of what Boateng brings on the floor, but because of the momentum he was starting to build. For Boateng, it’s a frustrating setback, but at just a sophomore, he’s got time on his side. If there’s a silver lining here, it’s that he’s already shown the kind of work ethic and resilience that coaches love to build around.
Now, the focus shifts to his recovery and what comes next. For Mizzou, it’s about adjusting the rotation and continuing to develop the young talent on the roster. For Boateng, it’s about getting healthy and coming back stronger-because the flashes we’ve seen suggest there’s plenty more to come.