Mitchell Layton/Getty Images(COLUMBIA, Mo.) -- Ex-UConn forward Alex Oriakhi has one year of eligibility left and he will use it at Missouri.  The university announced Friday that Oriakhi would transfer to Columbia to become a Tiger. The 6-foot-9 big man played three seasons in Storrs averaging 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds while compiling 166 blocks in 109 games. Oriakhi will provide Mizzou with some interior presence. Last season, the Tigers had only one player over 6-7 that averaged over 20 minutes per game.

"Missouri needs a center, and I'm going to be the center" Oriakhi said to the Kansas City Star. "It's a perfect match."

Oriakhi will be able to play right away because UConn is banned from the NCAA Tournament next season.

Oriakhi has ties at Missouri. He and junior point guard Phil Pressey played ball together as youths for the Boston Amateur Basketball Club.

Oriakhi also considered transferring to Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina and Xavier.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio