MIZZOU ADDS HIGHLY TOUTED JUCO TEAMMATE HOOPSTERS
Anderson inks teammates from John A. Logan College (Ill.) to 2015 recruiting class
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Mizzou Men’s Basketball head coach Kim Anderson has announced the signing of 6-2 guard Martavian Payne and 6-8 forward Russell Woods, junior college teammates from John A. Logan College in Carterville, Ill.
A shifty shooting guard, Payne averaged 15.7 points per game for John A. Logan this past season. Woods projects to provide an interior presence for Mizzou, as the new Tiger averaged 14.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game playing alongside Payne.
“We are excited to have Martavian and Russell join the Mizzou Basketball family,” Anderson said. “Both are proven winners, and we look forward to the experience they will bring to our team.”
Payne shot impressively from the field this past season for the Volunteers, hitting on 43.2 percent of his field goal attempts. Woods was especially efficient for a post player, compiling a 62.0 field goal percentage.
“Martavian is a young man who can play both the point and the off guard,” Anderson said. “He is a strong three-point shooter and handles the ball well. He should make an immediate impact for our program.
“Russell is a long, athletic forward who can rebound and score around the basket and out to 15-17 feet. He has the ability to immediately impact the game. Both are solid defenders having played in a championship program at Logan under Coach Kyle Smithpeters.”
A native of St. Louis, Mo., Payne starred for Madison College Prep prior to heading to junior college. Woods hails from Chicago, Ill., and played amongst a talented Simeon High School roster before showing his skills at the JUCO level.
Payne and Woods join Mizzou’s 2015 recruiting class currently consisting of: 5-11 guard Terrence Phillips (Orange County, Calif.), 6-7 forward Kevin Puryear (Blue Springs, Mo.) and 6-4 guard Cullen VanLeer (Pacific, Mo.).
For all the latest on Mizzou Men's Basketball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on twitter at @MizzouHoops.
