Mizzou men’s basketball prospect charged with alleged rape, sodomy, kidnapping
Missouri Tigers men’s basketball prospect Keiner Asprilla was charged with rape in the first degree, first-degree sodomy and kidnapping in the second degree on Tuesday. He is being held at the Boone County Jail.
Court documents allege Asprilla raped someone three times Sept. 21 at The Tiger Hotel. The Columbia Police Department received a report of sexual assault from a victim Oct. 8, according to a NJ Advance Media article published Jan. 24.
Documents show the hotel room was reserved for Asprilla, who was 17 years old at the time, from Sept. 19-22. According to a probable cause statement from Columbia police, MU paid for Asprilla’s three-night stay at the hotel.
Asprilla, now 18, reportedly appeared in court for a hearing April 18, when a juvenile judge ruled he must stand trial as an adult, per a NJ Advance Media article published Wednesday. Asprilla is being held without bond, and the next court hearing is set for 9 a.m. May 22 in a Boone County court.
According to 247Sports, Asprilla took an official visit with the team Sept. 20. On Sept. 23, Asprilla posted photos of himself wearing various Mizzou jerseys on Instagram with the caption, “MIZZOU What’s up?”
Asprilla was reportedly arrested as “a fugitive from justice and charged with forcible rape” Jan. 21 at Saint Peter’s Preparatory School in Jersey City, New Jersey, per NJ Advance Media on Jan. 24.
“The safety of our campus community is of great importance,” MU spokesperson Christopher Ave told NJ Advance Media. “We are deeply concerned about these serious allegations. This alleged, off-campus incident did not involve any of our students, and it was reported to the Columbia Police Department. We do not have sufficient information to comment further.”
Northweather officially signs with Tigers
MU officially announced the signing of Luke Northweather from the transfer portal Wednesday.
The Oklahoma transfer forward/center’s signing is the second official announcement from the Tigers’ four portal additions — including Shawn Phillips Jr, Sebastian Mack and Jevon Porter.
The former Blair Oaks standout averaged 2.7 points and 1.5 rebounds per game, shooting 42.9% from the field and 34% from 3-point range in the 2024-25 campaign. Northweather also recorded 11.3 minutes per contest across 30 games with the Sooners last season.
The 6-foot-11 redshirt sophomore spent three seasons in Norman, Oklahoma, posting averages of 2.4 points and 1.5 rebounds on 41.9% shooting from the field and 31.3% shooting from beyond the arc.
Five-star Bryant to visit MU
Five-star junior forward Toni Bryant has scheduled an official visit to Mizzou on Sept. 6.
The 6-9 North Tampa Christian Academy product is the No. 10 overall recruit in the Class of 2026, according to 247Sports.
Bates thanks Gates, ‘Mizzou family’
Tamar Bates thanked Tigers coach Dennis Gates in a draft statement this week.
“To Coach Gates, the entire coaching staff, my teammates and every member of the Mizzou family — thank you for believing in me, pushing me and making me better every single day,” Bates wrote in a post on X. “To our fans, thank you for riding with me through it all. Representing this program has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”
The 2025 NBA Draft tips off with the first round at 7 p.m. June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The second round starts at 7 p.m. June 26.
Bowers & Carroll Alumni Game details
Laurence Bowers and DeMarre Carroll are running the third Bowers & Carroll Alumni Game this summer.
The charity basketball game between former MU football and basketball standouts is scheduled for noon June 14 at Mizzou Arena.
Doors open at 9 a.m., and the alumni participating in the game will sign autographs at 10 a.m. Price of admission is a donation at the door.
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