Mizzou Tigers unveil 1st official hoops signings for 2026. And they’re good ones
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- Mizzou signed first two members of the 2026 class: Toni Bryant and Aidan Chronister.
- Bryant brings top-20 national pedigree, shot blocking and floor running ability.
- Chronister supplies elite perimeter shooting, passing, length and decision making.
The Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team on Wednesday announced the first two official signings of the incoming class of 2026.
First up was the signing of Toni Bryant, 6-foot-10 five-star prospect from Tampa, Florida. Soon after, coach Dennis Gates’ hoops program announced the addition of 6-7 small forward Aidan Chronister from Arkansas.
Here’s a bit more about each of these two highly touted basketball players — cornerstones of MU’s No. 1-ranked 2026 haul — with comments from Gates via team-issued news release:
About Toni Bryant
Bryant is the first Mizzou signee to rank in the top 20 nationally since Michael Porter Jr. finished second in the class of 2017.
Bryant has been ranked as high as No. 14 (by ESPN) and is the No. 4-ranked power forward in the class of 2026.
“Toni is a gifted talent who can be a dominant forward at Mizzou,” Gates said. “We have had success with players that share his skillsets like Kobe Brown and Mark Mitchell and we think he can be the next forward to flourish within our system.”
Bryant averaged 13.3 points and 5.8 rebounds on the Puma Pro16 spring/summer circuit, the MU release noted. At North Tampa Christian High as a junior (2024-25), he averaged 21.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 6.5 blocks per game while shooting 66% from the field and 43% from deep.
The MU coaching staff’s connection with Bryant goes back to his eighth-grade year, the release said.
“Offensively, Toni plays above the rim, can run the floor and shoots the ball well for his size,” Gates said. “On the defensive end, he is a top shot blocker and can rebound the ball with the best of them.
“He is already a force to deal with, but we think his best basketball is still in front of him.”
About Aidan Chronister
Chronister, a sharpshooting wing, made an official visit to Missouri’s campus earlier this fall, attending the Mizzou football team’s victory over South Carolina alongside Gates.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Aidan to our Mizzou family as he was a priority for us early in our tenure here,” Gates said. “He is a seamless fit in our system as he has great size and length and plays the game the right way.”
The Tigers first offered Chronister on July 5, 2023, one of 18 offers received by the Rogers, Arkansas native. Chronister chose the Tigers over several power conference programs, including Southeastern Conference rivals Arkansas and Oklahoma, as well as in-state rival St. Louis University, Wake Forest and Oklahoma State.
A consensus four-star recruit who ranks among the nation’s top 100 players, Chronister is rated as the No. 71 prospect by 247Sports. In the ESPN 100, he’s No. 83.
“He spreads the court with his elite shooting ability,” Gates said, “cuts and moves really well and is a great decision-maker and passer. We look forward to Aidan joining our program and helping us contend for titles at Mizzou.”
Columbia Missourian reporter Joseph Pastilha contributed to this report.
This story was originally published November 12, 2025 at 2:54 PM.