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Missouri Recruiting Roundup: Updates on Tigers basketball

By Eric Quackenbush

Feb 2, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Jordan Geist (15) shoots during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against the Florida Gators at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Jordan Geist (15) shoots during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against the Florida Gators at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 26, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds High School All-American forward Kevin Knox II (23) poses for a photo during the 2017 McDonalds All American Game Portrait Day at Chicago Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds High School All-American forward Kevin Knox II (23) poses for a photo during the 2017 McDonalds All American Game Portrait Day at Chicago Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

2017 recruit Kevin Knox has narrowed his prospects, so where does Mizzou fit?

Probably one of the biggest questions over the last month, has been whether Missouri can lure the five-star small forward from Tampa Catholic to Columbia.

What felt like a pipe dream to most, especially for outsiders looking in, has slowly become a reality: Kevin Knox might commit to Mizzou. While the Tigers aren’t out of the woods yet, they are still on Knox’s board.

Probably two of the biggest factors playing into Knox’s decision to continue his consideration of Missouri are his father’s growing respect for Cuonzo Martin, and Michael Porter, Jr.’s persistence in recruiting Knox. The “X-factor” for the Tigers has also been the outpouring of support from students and fans for Knox to “come to the Zou.”

Carolina and Duke, the two premier programs that the Tigers are competing with, have had a number of players declare for the NBA draft over the last couple of days.

If Knox wasn’t sure of where he wanted to play yet, the recent stir of players leaving either program may have incited the 17 year-old to seriously consider joining the Tar Heels fresh from a championship, or Duke, a perennial contender.

What Missouri offers that Duke and Carolina doesn’t, is a budding program that is sitting on the brink of instant contention. Missouri can now guarantee that, like Carolina and Duke, Knox will play for a championship.

"“I know Missouri came on pretty late, but I’m still listening to what Mike has to say,” Knox told Scout.com earlier this week. “I like that me and him could be on the wings. We’d basically be unstoppable. It would definitely be a good duo. They definitely have a chance.”"

The Tigers also offer a team that is growing in strength, while Duke and Carolina will lose some of their key pieces to the pros.

While that won’t exclude either program from playoff contention and championship aspirations, it may prevent Knox from starting on either team from day one. Those programs are built to reload.

Carolina has pitched its best for a commit from Knox, and it’s not taking Missouri’s tenacity in this game lightly. In fact, the Heels also believe that the Tigers are very much alive in Knox’s choices.

Meanwhile, Knox will start from day one at Missouri. All the equipment staff needs is his shoe size.

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