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There's not a ton happening right now, but there's always something. So let's get to it.
BASKETBALL RECRUITING
We start with hoops because that's where we're anticipating news this week. Dennis Gates said on Thursday night to look for a bat signal this week. We were able to confirm yesterday that former South Carolina big man Josh Gray is set to visit Mizzou some time next week. We do not have an exact date at this time. We know it will be some time after Sunday.
Reaction has been mixed on this one. He's never put up big numbers. In four years, he's averaged 3.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in 95 total games at LSU and South Carolina. He's shot 51.5% from the field, but just 44.6% from the free throw line. His best year was 2022-23 when he averaged 4.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in 16 minutes a game at South Carolina. Missouri would probably be relatively satisfied if it could get similar numbers out of him this season.
Gray saw his playing time dip this season to ten minutes a game as the Gamecocks went smaller. He was the only player on the roster bigger than 6-foot-8. The optimist will tell you, as someone told us on Thursday, that South Carolina wasn't using him efficiently and Mizzou thinks it can get more out of him. The pessimist will tell you he's a 12 minutes a game guy, which is what he's been over the course of his career.
Here's what Mizzou wants out of him: A big body in the paint that can take up space on both ends and prevent them from getting hammered on the glass as they so often have the last two years. Offensively, the hope is that you can throw the ball to him for a few three-footers per game and he garners enough respect to open up the floor a little bit for a lineup that is taller and more athletic than what Mizzou put on the floor last year. Defensively, you hope he provides a paint presence Missouri simply hasn't had in Dennis Gates' first two seasons.
In all likelihood, this probably finishes the roster, but Gates did say he was looking for "one or two" more pieces and they continue to recruit, so we'll keep our ears open for what may happen.
After Gray, the focus will largely move on to the Class of 2025. The staff will be on the road next weekend, primarily in Indianapolis for EYBL. We're planning to have @drewking0222 there, but are currently waiting out the purgatory that is EYBL media credential approval.
FOOTBALL RECRUITING
There are no visitors expected in town this weekend. Missouri is still monitoring the portal and Eli Drinkwitz confirmed Thursday night they're "always shopping." Ideally you'd have those players in place by early June so they can get into summer school and fully participate in the offseason program, but there's not an absolute deadline for the additions until classes start in August (or something loosely in that range). Linebacker, defensive tackle and cornerback would be the positions to watch. Mizzou doesn't have to add anyone, but if it does, those are the three likely positions.
- We caught up with 3-star RB Shekai Mills-Knight earlier this week after Missouri RB coach Curtis Luper stopped by his school for spring practice. Mills-Knight picked up a Missouri offer back in late February and told us he's planning to visit campus next weekend for an unofficial visit. Mizzou will have a lot of work to do to be a top option as Mills-Knight already has summer officials set with Miami, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, and Ohio State, but it's clear they are ramping up their recruitment of the Canada native aside from the top two RB targets that we've regularly mentioned in Dierre Hill and Jamarion Morrow.
- Top100 WR Jayvan Boggs came out and said he's focusing on four schools this week, they include Missouri, Georgia, Texas, and UCF. Boggs recently backed off his Ohio State commitment in late March. However, before he did that he visited Missouri where the Tigers made a great impression. He also visited UCF before making the trek to Missouri. Georgia and Texas then came into the picture more after his decommitment, but he's taken recent visits to both programs as well. Boggs is expected back at Missouri the weekend of June 21st for his official visit.
- Speaking of Top100 wide receivers, Donovan Olugbode released his Top 5 this week that included Missouri, Florida, Oregon, USC, and Washington. The four-star is coming off his first official visit last weekend to Washington. Olugbode was on Mizzou's campus back on April 5th for an unofficial visit and is planning to return for an official visit later this month, May 24th-26th. He also has officials set with USC on May 31st and Florida June 14th while his official to Oregon is TBD.
- Missouri QB commit Matt Zollers competed at the Under Armour Camp in New Jersey last weekend. Rivals.com national analyst Adam Friedman was there for coverage, where Zollers was stamped as one of the top performers at the event.
For more on Zollers, click the following links....
Friedman's Takeaways: Top Northeast Prospects Compete in New Jersey
2025 Quarterbacks Shine at New Jersey UA Camp
