Mizzou's Trent Burns Turning Tough Coaching Into Positive Performances

The 7-foot-5 freshman is adapting to the pace and physicality of the SEC after multiple years of injuries

Feb. 23, 2026 at 8:20pm

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Trent Burns, a 7-foot-5 freshman for the Missouri Tigers, is starting to make an impact on the court after dealing with multiple injuries over the past two years. Head coach Dennis Gates has been coaching Burns hard, but the young center is responding well and translating that coaching into positive performances, especially on the defensive end.

Why it matters

Burns' unique size and skillset make him a valuable asset for the Tigers, but his injury history has limited his playing time. As he continues to adapt to the speed and physicality of the SEC, his contributions could be crucial for Missouri down the stretch.

The details

After missing the entire 2024-25 season and the start of this season due to injuries, Burns is finally starting to find consistent minutes for the Tigers. He's played 30 minutes over the last two games, using his 7-foot-5 frame to impact the game defensively by taking up space and making it difficult for opposing guards to penetrate. Burns says he's starting to settle in and adapt to the college game after a few games of adjusting.

  • Burns suffered an injury in the 2024-25 season that kept him out for its entirety.
  • Burns had another foot injury that sidelined him until Nov. 25 of this season.
  • It had been around 600 days since Burns played a true game of basketball before returning against South Carolina State.

The players

Trent Burns

A 7-foot-5 freshman center for the Missouri Tigers who is starting to make an impact on the court after dealing with multiple injuries over the past two years.

Dennis Gates

The head coach of the Missouri Tigers, who has been coaching Burns hard in an effort to get the young center aligned with the team's system.

Shawn Phillips Jr.

The starting center for the Missouri Tigers, with Burns typically filling in for him off the bench.

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What they’re saying

“He definitely coaches me hard. He expects a lot of me, and I just have to continue to remind myself him coaching me is not angry. We're on the same team. He's just trying to get me in alignment with what we're doing as a team. Just remind myself that has allowed me to receive coaching a lot better and in turn, I've been playing a lot better.”

— Trent Burns (SI.com)

“Trent Burns has done a tremendous job in the last two games of just impacting the game, I would say, just from a mental standpoint, awareness IQ, just being at the right place.”

— Dennis Gates, Missouri Head Coach (SI.com)

What’s next

Missouri takes on No. 22 Tennessee at 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Mizzou Arena, where Burns' size and defensive presence could be a key factor.

The takeaway

Trent Burns' journey back from multiple injuries has been a challenging one, but he is starting to find his footing and make an impact for the Missouri Tigers. His ability to adapt to the pace and physicality of the SEC will be crucial as the Tigers look to make a push in the final stretch of the season.