COLUMBIA, Mo., Oct. 4 (UPI) -- University of Missouri senior forward Laurence Bowers will miss the upcoming basketball season after tearing a knee ligament, Coach Frank Haith said Tuesday.
Bowers, who averaged 11.6 points and 6.1 rebounds last season in 27 starts, sustained the injury during a pick-up game Monday, The Kansas City Star reported.
"This is just difficult news for an outstanding young man and representative of our athletics department," Haith said in the release. "I have had a chance to talk with Laurence a few times and he is doing well.
"I know he is anxious to get started on his rehabilitation and he will continue to be a big part of the 2011-2012 team."
Calling the All-Big-12 player "one of our best defenders," Haith said his primary concern was not the effect on the Tigers but on helping Bowers "through the recovery process."
The senior has a year of red-shirt eligibility remaining and could play for the Tigers next season, the newspaper said.
