Welcome Guest

2015 Top Missouri High School Basketball Recruits

Posted on: January 10, 2021 at 16:42:58 CT
quicksand MU
Posts:
5269
Member For:
21.23 yrs
Level:
User
M.O.B. Votes:
0
Continuing our series on the top ten in-state prospects each year per Rivals, let’s take a look at the class of 2015. This was prior to KA’s second season at Mizzou and marked his first real recruiting class. He signed a couple of them. The class was somewhat unremarkable on paper, although three of them are currently on NBA rosters:

1. Jimmy Whitt 6-2 SG Columbia (Hickman)

Four-star multi-dimensional guard, #55 player nationally, had built a relationship with Mike Anderson and Melvin Watkins during the previous coaching regime’s time in Columbia. Considered Cal, Colorado and Creighton but was always considered a heavy Arkansas lean after Anderson and Watkins left for Fayetteville. Signed with the Razorbacks and contributed 6.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg and 1.2 apg as a true freshman. Surprised many by leaving Arkansas and transferring to SMU after his first year. After a redshirt transfer season, he was a valuable starter in the backcourt for the Mustangs for two seasons, with combined numbers of 11 ppg, 6 rpg and 4 apg. Returned to Arkansas last season as a grad transfer after Mike Anderson was fired and was a solid Honorable Mention SEC performer with 14.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 2.2 apg. Expected to play overseas somewhere this season.

2. Landry Shamet 6-4 PG Kansas City (Park Hill)

Four-star player, #88 national recruit, chose Wichita St. during Gregg Marshall’s heyday with the Shockers. Appeared in three games his first year before breaking a bone in his foot and sitting out the remainder of the season as a medical redshirt. Emerged as the starting point guard his redshirt freshman season and was named First Team All-MVC with 11.4 ppg, 3.4 apg and tenacious defense. Named first team All-AAC (Wichita St. had changed conferences) as a redshirt sophomore with 14.9 ppg and 5.2 rpg.

Declared for the 2018 NBA Draft and was selected #26 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. Contributed 8.3 ppg off the bench as a rookie and was then traded to the Clippers. Battled injuries over two seasons in Los Angeles, but contributed a combined 9 ppg when available. Traded to the Brooklyn Nets prior to the current season and is averaging 4.4 ppg through eight games so far.

3. Juwan Morgan 6-7 PF Waynesville H.S.

Four-star prospect from a smaller high school, #109 player overall, considered Mizzou but signed with Indiana. Played somewhat sparingly as a freshman, then served as the Hoosiers’ sixth man his sophomore season (7.7 ppg and 5.6 rpg.). Became a force his final two seasons with 16.5 ppg and 7.4 rpg as a junior (Second Team All Big-10) and 15.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg as a senior (Third Team All Big-10.).

Undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft, he signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz and appeared in 21 games with limited time, while primarily playing for the Salt Lake City Stars of the G-League. Earned a roster position with the Jazz prior to the current season, appearing in three games with no stats before being optioned back to the G-League.

4. O.G. Anunoby 6-7 SF Jefferson City (H.S.)

Tom Crean and Indiana swept into central Missouri to snag another recruit. Legend has it that Anunoby’s high school coach (a former KA player at Central Missouri) urged KA to sign him but that KA preferred Kevin Puyear. Three-star recruit emerged as a starter midway through his freshman season and averaged 4.9 ppg and 2.6 rpg. Despite these mild numbers, his athleticism and potential resulted in a projection that he would be a potential future NBA lottery pick prior to his sophomore season. Was posting 11.1 ppg and 5.4 rpg as a sophomore before injuring his knee after 16 games.

Declared for the 2017 NBA Draft and was selected #23 overall by the Toronto Raptors. Averaged a combined 7 ppg and 3 rpg his first two seasons off the bench, then became a starter for Toronto last season, posting 10.6 ppg and 5.3 rpg. Signed a four year, $72 million extension with Toronto prior to the current season and is currently registering numbers of 12.3 ppg and 5.5 rpg through 9 games.

5. Kevin Puryear 6-7 PF Blue Springs (South)

Three-star recruit signed with Mizzou over Creighton and Nebraska. Enjoyed one of the most productive freshman seasons in Tiger history (albeit on a horrible team) with 11.5 ppg and 4.6 rpg, earning All-SEC Freshman honors. Looking back, he had a good career at Mizzou. Started 119 games, scored 1,241 points (10.7 ppg and 5.3 rpg career numbers during our Dark Ages as a basketball program.) I consider him a True Son. He did what he could. Graduated with a degree in Sports Management and, rather than pursuing a basketball career overseas, now works as a financial advisor for professional athletes in Weeshaken, NJ.

6. Cullen VanLear 6-4 SG Pacific (H.S.)

Three-star recruit, son of his high school coach, became KA’s first real high school commit, pledging early to Mizzou. Lauded as an amazing three-point shooter in practices prior to his freshman season, it never translated to actual play during games. A part-time starter his first two seasons with the Tigers, he averaged a combined 4.8 ppg, shooting less than 30 percent from the three point line. Played somewhat sparingly as a junior, averaging 2.4 ppg but emerged late season as a defensive specialist. His confidence shaken, he was 0-7 from the free throw line his final season (an NCAA record zero percent). Sadly, he suffered a devastating knee injury the final game of his junior season and medically retired from basketball. Remained on scholarship for the 18-19 season as a student assistant then graduated from Mizzou with a degree in secondary education. Recently hired as a social studies teacher, and basketball and golf coach at Owensville (MO) High School.

7. Anthony Pratt 6-7 PF St. Louis (Christian Academy

Low three-star prospect signed with Eastern Kentucky. Played sparingly for the Colonels as a freshman (2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg) then left the program prior to his sophomore season. Enrolled at Midland (TX) JC for the second semester of the 16-17 season and averaged 2.5 ppg and 2.6 rpg in five games before quitting the team. Whereabouts unknown.

8. Alex Floresca 6-8 PF Webster Groves H.S.

Two-star big man inked with San Diego. Came off the bench his first four years with the Toros (including a medical redshirt season) with combined totals of 3 ppg and 2 rpg. Started most games his senior season and averaged 6.2 ppg and 4.1 rpg. Graduated with a degree in architecture. Pretty certain he’s the only guy in all of my reviews who studied architecture.

9. Tyson Batiste 6-2 SG Springfield (Kickapoo)

Two-star guard committed to Little Rock but opted to spend a prep season at Notre Dame Prep in Massachusetts. Signed with Central Connecticut St. prior to the 16-17 season and spent three years appearing off the bench for the Blue Devils with combined totals of 4 ppg and 2 rpg. Left for the Citadel as a grad transfer and appeared as the starting point guard for the Bulldogs his senior season with 7.0 ppg and 5.4 apg.

10. Casey Teson 6-2 SG St. Charles H.S.

Two-star recruit picked Eastern Illinois. Spent two seasons with the Panthers as a part-time starter with combined numbers of 7 ppg and 2 rpg. Left the program following his sophomore season and enrolled a Division II Maryville in St. Louis. Excelled at the lower division with 11.8 ppg as a junior and 19.2 ppg as a senior.

**- Ronnie Suggs 6-6 SF Washington (H.S.)

I did not include Suggs on this list because he attended prep school in Vermont during the 14-15 season and was technically not a Missouri high school player. I mention him because he did play a season at Mizzou. He would have been #8 on the list. Two-star wing signed with Bradley and was a solid contributor as a freshman with 8.5 ppg and 4.0 rpg. Fell out of favor as a sophomore, appearing in only 16 games with 1.9 ppg. Transferred to Mizzou as a walk-on, and following a redshirt transfer year, played off and on his junior season with 1.7 ppg and 1.7 rpg. Left for Southern Illinois as a grad transfer and contributed 5.3 ppg and 2.0 rpg last year.
Report Message

Please explain why this message is being reported.

REPLY

Handle:
Password:
Subject:

MESSAGE THREAD

2015 Top Missouri High School Basketball Recruits - quicksand MU - 1/10 16:42:58
     Juwan Morgan - RoyMunson MU - 1/11 12:12:42
     RE: 2015 Top Missouri High School Basketball Recruits - bstiger MU - 1/10 20:09:58
          Dark days indeed, but I grew to appreciate Puryear for - MUTGR MU - 1/10 22:43:46
     OG - salemtiger MU - 1/10 19:14:47
          Had no interest cause he already had Puryear in the fold - tsutiger57 MU - 1/11 15:43:25
               You can find similar examples - wu-tangtiger MU - 1/11 15:45:14
     KA should've been sued for malpractice - ERB KC - 1/10 18:51:34
          A couple of guys on this list - wu-tangtiger MU - 1/10 19:05:01
               They've got noses. - ERB KC - 1/11 10:02:56
     Nice thx(nm) - TigerFan92 STL - 1/10 18:46:04
     These are great. Thanks... - sammy MU - 1/10 18:42:21




©2024 Fanboards L.L.C. — Our Privacy Policy   About Tigerboard