Missouri bolstered its roster on Thursday with the addition of veteran transfer Jaylen Carey, a proven winner and one of the nation’s most productive rebounders, as the forward officially signed with the Tigers for the upcoming season.
In the 2025–26 season at Tennessee, Carey averaged 7.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while establishing himself as one of the top offensive rebounders in college basketball. He ranked 10th nationally in offensive rebounding percentage (17.1%) and was 90th in offensive boards per game (2.78) despite playing just 18.5 minutes per contest.
Across his career at James Madison, Vanderbilt, and Tennessee, Carey has been part of three NCAA Tournament teams, including a 2026 Elite Eight run, and has contributed to 77 total wins in college play.
Missouri head coach Dennis Gates praised Carey’s experience and physical presence, highlighting his toughness inside, high basketball IQ, and ability to impact the game as an interior enforcer with playmaking skill for his size.
The 6-foot-8 forward from Southwest Ranches, Florida, has appeared in 106 collegiate games, scoring 791 points and grabbing 564 rebounds while shooting 53.5% from the field. He has averaged 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds over his career and is projected to enter the 2026–27 season among the national leaders in career offensive rebounds among active players.
Carey becomes the third transfer addition for Missouri this spring, joining a reloaded roster that also includes Providence transfer Jamier Jones, Kansas transfer Bryson Tiller, and a top-five freshman recruiting class. The Tigers are coming off consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and back-to-back double-digit SEC win seasons for the first time since joining the conference.
