Missouri basketball rumors: Tigers surpass Alabama as favorite for Kentucky transfer

College basketball teams are working on improving their roster for the 2026-27 campaign, and some of that work is through the College Basketball Transfer Portal. One of those teams looking to improve in the portal is Missouri, after falling in the first round of the NCAA Tournament for a second straight season.

One of the hot names in the portal is Kentucky guard Jasper Johnson, who entered the portal after just one season in Kentucky. Now, it is being reported that Missouri may be in a position to land Lowe, according to Joe Tipton of On3.

“Alabama was the early school to watch for Kentucky transfer Jasper Johnson. However, as time has went on, things have shifted and Missouri is the school gaining ground,” Tipton wrote.

Johnson was a top-25 recruit in the class of 2025, coming out of high school. Johnson originally played at Woodford County High School in Lexington, Kentucky, before transferring to Link Academy in Branson, Missouri, and finishing his high school career with Overtime Elite Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. He then chose to play for Kentucky, back in his hometown of Lexington, choosing the Wildcats over North Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, and Louisville.

In his lone season at Kentucky, Johnson played in 35 games, all as a reserve. He averaged 12 minutes per game, while scoring 4.9 points, with 1.6 assists, and 1.1 rebounds per game. Missouri needs new guards. Mark Mitchell and Jayden Stone, the top two scoring options from 2025-26, and both guards, are out of eligibility and need to be replaced. Meanwhile, T.O. Barrett has entered the transfer portal.

Missouri seems to be in a position now to replace one of the three, and look to make the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in five seasons under Dennis Gates.

College basketball teams are working on improving their roster for the 2026-27 campaign, and some of that work is through the College Basketball Transfer Portal. One of those teams looking to improve in the portal is Missouri, after falling in the first round of the NCAA Tournament for a second straight season.