ST. LOUIS -- Missouri wanted to make an early impression on Miles Simpson.
The Tigers offered Simpson in September ahead of the Class of 2028 guard's freshman season at St. Louis (Mo.) Webster Groves. Although not being able to visit yet, Simpson has learned more about the Tigers' staff from afar.
"It means a lot," Simpson said. "It's my hometown school. I grew up watching them, one of my dream schools, and already got it coming in the freshman year, I just smile about it every time I think about it."
At 6-foot-5, 170-pounds, Simpson has impressed the Missouri staff with his versatility. Towering over opponents, Simpson hasn't just lived inside the paint. He's extended to the arch and thrived as a ball handler.
"It's a great advantage, because there's a lot of kids my my size, but they can't shoot," Simpson said, "so it's not really a big aspect to them. But at the start of the season, I wasn't shooting the best, but I've been working on that lot."
That showed Wednesday, when Webster Groves defeated Pacific (Mo.) High, 80-47, in the first round of the MSHSAA Class 5 District 2 tournament. Simpson made two 3-pointers in the first quarter before four points -- two from the free throw line and two from the field -- in the second.
Coach Dennis Gates has noted the Tigers run a position-less rotation, and given early growth in his freshman season, Simpson believes he'll max out at 6-foot-8, leaving him opportunities to play both guard positions and small forward.
"A lot of them do," Miles said about schools recruiting him as a combo guard and small forward. "I always grew up on my AAU teams as the biggest kid, but they always have me playing the 1-3, because that was my spot."
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The Tigers offered Simpson in September ahead of the Class of 2028 guard's freshman season at St. Louis (Mo.) Webster Groves. Although not being able to visit yet, Simpson has learned more about the Tigers' staff from afar.
"It means a lot," Simpson said. "It's my hometown school. I grew up watching them, one of my dream schools, and already got it coming in the freshman year, I just smile about it every time I think about it."
At 6-foot-5, 170-pounds, Simpson has impressed the Missouri staff with his versatility. Towering over opponents, Simpson hasn't just lived inside the paint. He's extended to the arch and thrived as a ball handler.
"It's a great advantage, because there's a lot of kids my my size, but they can't shoot," Simpson said, "so it's not really a big aspect to them. But at the start of the season, I wasn't shooting the best, but I've been working on that lot."
That showed Wednesday, when Webster Groves defeated Pacific (Mo.) High, 80-47, in the first round of the MSHSAA Class 5 District 2 tournament. Simpson made two 3-pointers in the first quarter before four points -- two from the free throw line and two from the field -- in the second.
Coach Dennis Gates has noted the Tigers run a position-less rotation, and given early growth in his freshman season, Simpson believes he'll max out at 6-foot-8, leaving him opportunities to play both guard positions and small forward.
"A lot of them do," Miles said about schools recruiting him as a combo guard and small forward. "I always grew up on my AAU teams as the biggest kid, but they always have me playing the 1-3, because that was my spot."
Mizzou target Miles Simpson stretches floor with length, shooting ability
Missouri jumped into Miles Simpson's recruitment early, and it's evident why, given the versatility of the tall guard.
