5-Star PF Toni Bryant Commits to Missouri, 2nd 5-Star Recruit for Tigers' 2026 Class

The Missouri men's basketball team is loading up on talent for next year's incoming class.

Per ESPN's Jeff Borzello and Paul Biancardi, class of 2026 5-star power forward Toni Bryant committed to the Tigers on Monday. He's Missouri's second 5-star recruit in the 2026 class, joining combo guard Jason Crowe Jr.

Bryant is the No. 5 power forward in the nation, per 247Sports' composite. He chose to commit to the Tigers over offers from Kansas, North Carolina, NC State and others.

Borzello and Biancardi noted that Missouri was one of the first high-major schools to seriously pursue Bryant and offered him a scholarship in May 2024. Bryant told them that head coach Dennis Gates' persistence in recruiting him was one of the deciding factors in his commitment.

"Loyalty and long-term relationships mattered most to me," Bryant said. "No head coach has recruited me longer than Coach Gates. Coach Gates sees me as a person, not just a player, and that relationship was built on genuine belief, not just transactions. Coach Gates isn't just a recruiter; he's a teacher and a developer. He's building professionals, and that's why I trust him with my future. Mizzou has a culture that's all about development and accountability, and that really stood out to me."

Missouri is now the only school in the country with multiple five-star commitments in the 2026 class. Crowe, who committed over the summer, is the No. 4 combo guard and No. 9 overall player in the class in 247Sports' composite.

Landing these impressive prospects is a testament to the incredible turnaround the Tigers have seen under Gates. After enduring an 8-24 finish to the 2023-24 season that included a 0-18 record in SEC play, Missouri went 22-12 last season and earned a 6-seed in the NCAA tournament. Bryant is hoping to help the program reach even greater heights when he arrives next year.

"When I watched practice and sat with the staff, everything clicked: the offense, defense and preparation. The system fits how I play: smart and aggressive," Bryant said. "It's a place where I can help build something bigger. Coach Gates is laying a foundation, and I want to be part of taking it to the next level. I see myself as a foundational piece of that puzzle."