Connor Vanover’s 7-foot-5 rim protection and stretch-big skill set still make him a matchup oddity
In the 2023-24 season at Missouri, Connor Vanover averaged 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds in 12.9 minutes per game, but his real value is the rare blend of size, shot-blocking, and floor-spacing that made him the Summit League Defensive Player of the Year the season before at Oral Roberts. He’s a true paint deterrent at 7-foot-5, yet can also step out as a pick-and-pop threat, which gives coaches a very different kind of center to build around. The caveat: he’s been more role player than featured scorer in Columbia, so the fit is best for a team that wants rim protection and spacing more than offensive volume.
