Mizzou hoops locks down five signees on National Signing Day
COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ)
Five players signed their national letters of intent to join Cuonzo Martin and the Mizzou basketball team on Wednesday.
"Quality young guys and, like I said, I think they all have a passion and want to be here," Martin said. "They have the wanting to and willingness to be a good basketball player and that's easier said than done. You think it's so easy just to be a good player, but I think they want to put the time into being a good player."
Mizzou picked up guards Anton Brookshire and Kaleb Brown, forwards Trevon Brazile and Sean Durugordon, and center Yaya Keita.
Brookshire and Brazile both come to Columbia from Kickapoo High School in Springfield, Missouri.
Brookshire will leave high school as one of the top-five scorer in school history.
The 6-foot guard is ranked No. 9 in ESPN's 2021 top-100 list. He averaged about 20 points per game and four rebounds.
"It's crazy, it's a blessing. I came a long way from a few summers ago and I never would have thought I'd be in this position now, so it's just an honor," Brookshire said.
"Coach Martin is a great guy, I love him, his passion for the game, and stuff like that," Brazile said. "Just being around it, the atmosphere. I feel like it's the right atmosphere for me."
His current and future teammate, Brazile, will join the Tigers, as well.
The forward averaged about 11 points per game with about five rebounds.
"It's crazy, it's a blessing. I came a long way from a few summers ago and I never would have thought I'd be in this position now, so it's just an honor," Brookshire said.
Mizzou locked down the Missouri borders in signing St. Louis basketball standout, Keita.
The 6-foot-9 center comes the MU from Desmet High School, where former Martin assistant coach Kent Williams was his head coach.
He chose the Tigers over offers from Iowa, Iowa State, and West Virginia.
"I think a physical, tough runner and jumper, good feel for the game, great IQ, and even from the time we first got here, he has really improved his game," Martin said. "A combination of his work ethic, along with coach Williams understanding being at this level."
Another signee has a connection to Martin and company, through his brother. Brown is actually the brother of current Mizzou basketball player, Kobe Brown.
The guard chose Mizzou over Minnesota and West Virginia, after leading Lee's Summit High School to more than 20 wins and a championship in his sophomore season.
"He's a guy that, even when you saw him as a young guy, you though he had some of that Draymond Green in him. A guy that can do a lot of different things," Martin said.
Rounding out the signing class is the 6-foot-7 forward, Durugordon.
As a junior, he averaged 23 points and about 11 rebounds per game.
“He attacks the glass relentlessly and can guard every position. He’s a tough-minded guy who empties the tank every time he steps on the floor," Martin said.
