Jason Crowe Jr. earns national recognition ahead of debut season

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The 2026-27 season hasn't even tipped off yet, and Mizzou guard Jason Crowe Jr. is already being recognized as one of the nation's top point guards.

On Monday, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced that the Tiger freshman earned a spot on the Bob Cousy Award Watch List, an honor which is given to the nation's best collegiate point guard. Crowe Jr. is one of 20 players featured on the list and one of just three freshmen.

The Mizzou guard comes to Columbia as one of MU's most highly-anticipated recruits of all time...and for good reason. Crowe Jr. set the state of California's all-time scoring record with 4,718 career points in high school. That shattered the previous record by 1,059 points. As a senior, Crowe Jr. averaged 43.3 points per game, as well as 5.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game.

That effort at the prep level was enough for him to be tabbed as a 2026 McDonald's All-American, joining fellow Tiger freshman Toni Bryant in receiving that honor. That duo are the sixth and seventh McDonald's All-Americans in school history to join the program straight out of high school.

Crowe Jr. and the Tigers will open up the season on Tuesday, Nov. 3 against Cleveland State at Mizzou Arena. Tip off is slated for 7 p.m.