Former Connecticut Huskies Alex Oriakhi has decided to transfer to the Missouri Tigers, according to CBS Sports. Oriakhi played a key roll in their run to their NCAA championship in 2011, but his playing time was reduced this season when Andre Drummond arrived on campus this year. In his three seasons at Connecticut Oriakhi averaged 7.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
The move to Missouri was due to his relationship with Missouri point guard Phil Pressey as well as the fact that Missouri has a lack of big men:
"Obviously it's a simple fact that they don't have any big men, and I can play with a pass-first point guard," Oriakhi said. "I just felt comfortable."
Missouri head coach Frank Haith commented on the arrival of Oriakhi:
"We're very excited to add a talented and proven player like Alex to our program," Missouri coach Frank Haith said in a statement. "Addressing our front court depth has been a major emphasis of ours for this next year, and when you add Alex to a group of newcomers including Stefan Jankovic, Ryan Rosburg and Tony Criswell, we are definitely heading the right direction. Alex is a very hard worker, he's somebody who we expect to fit into our program's culture right away. He will do whatever he's asked to help the team, and he can impact a game any number of ways, whether it's scoring, rebounding or defending."
Oriakhi chose Missouri over Kentucky, Xavier, Duke and North Carolina.
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