The kid has stuck around and slugged it out for four years, three of them not at all pleasant. He could have transferred to an MVC or Horizon League or similar school after his soph or junior year and turned himself into an all-conference player, but he came back and kept grinding to help get this program on to solid ground. Puryear always accepted his role and he poured his heart and soul into the program during some pretty lean years, helped provide roster stability, and even played a meaningful role on the one team he was on during his time here that actually accomplished anything.
No one is ever going to retire his number or include on the list of all-time Mizzou hoops greats, but Kevin Puryear is as important a player as this program has had in the last six or seven years. I know it’s been a tough season, but my hat’s off to the kid for everything he's put into this program during his time here.
Folks who have been frustrated with his play this year have every right to feel that way, and I won’t argue that he has had not had a disappointing senior season. Still, in the long run, he’s contributed a hell of a lot to this rebuild project. Just putting this here in hopes that fans don’t lose sight of that.
No one is ever going to retire his number or include on the list of all-time Mizzou hoops greats, but Kevin Puryear is as important a player as this program has had in the last six or seven years. I know it’s been a tough season, but my hat’s off to the kid for everything he's put into this program during his time here.
Folks who have been frustrated with his play this year have every right to feel that way, and I won’t argue that he has had not had a disappointing senior season. Still, in the long run, he’s contributed a hell of a lot to this rebuild project. Just putting this here in hopes that fans don’t lose sight of that.
