COLUMBIA, Mo. - Montaque Gill-Caesar will not return to the Missouri men's basketball team next season.
In a release Wednesday, the university announced Gill-Caeser has decided to transfer after his freshman season.
"I want to thank the Mizzou Basketball program for its support, as well as thanks to all of the fans and people of Columbia who made me feel so welcome," Gill-Caesar said. "I'd like to continue my college basketball career at a school where I am most comfortable. I certainly hope to see plenty of success for my friends on the team and the Mizzou coaching staff in the future."
Gill-Caesar scored in double figures in 13 of the 27 games he played last season. He suffered a back injury in the game against Illinois in late December and averaged just under 7 points per game the remainder of the season.
"We wish Montaque the best," Missouri coach Kim Anderson said. "In an evolving conversation this week, Montaque informed our program of his future plans. He intends to resume his education and playing career at a different institution. We will assist him in every way possible in that transition, pending the completion of academic obligations he committed to with our staff.
"Our program cannot thank Montaque and his family enough for being a part of the Mizzou Basketball Family."
Gill-Caesar had not been attending Missouri's summer workouts.
Gill-Caesar is the second Missouri player to transfer since the end of the season.
Johnathan Williams III, who led Missouri in scoring and rebounding last season, has announced he will sit out a year before playing at Gonzaga in the 2016-17 season.
Missouri finished 9-23 overall last season, 3-15 in the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers were 1-15 in games not played at Mizzou Arena.