Mizzou Head Coach Mike Anderson announced on Saturday that sophomore forward John Underwood is leaving the program for personal reasons.

A developing forward and excellent shot-blocker, Underwood played in four games for the Tigers this season, but is returning home to Phoenix, Ariz., be closer to his family.

“Mizzou was an outstanding experience for John and I can’t thank Coach Anderson and Coach Watkins enough for how they helped him grow over these past two years,” John Underwood Sr. said. “I wish the circumstances would have been different, but John wanted to be closer to home and closer to his brother during these difficult times.”

Underwood averaged 1.3 points and was a perfect 2-of-2 from the floor this season.

“Our hearts are with John and his family,” Head Coach Mike Anderson said. “We are saddened to see John leave the program. He was really developing and we were seeing great signs from him every single practice. With that being said, basketball often takes a backseat and it needed to in this situation. We want him to know he will always have a family here at Mizzou and we will do whatever we can to support him in life and in basketball. He will be an outstanding addition for a program back home.”