Entering his senior season, Kobe Brown comes in as the go-to option for the Missouri Tigers. He is also the veteran and the on-the-floor leader for Mizzou.
Coming out of Lee High school in Huntsville, Alabama, as a 3-star recruit in 2019, Kobe Brown committed to Mizzou after receiving offers from more than thirty big programs. A versatile 6-7 guard/forward, who has also seen time at the center position, iss viewed as the quintessential swingman.
After a modest first-year averaging eighteen minutes a game, Brown saw a bump in minutes his second season. Along with the increased playing time came an increase in field goal percentage and better ball discipline.
New Missouri basketball Head Coach, Dennis Gates has his work cut out for him. Gates welcomes a plethora of transfers. Returning players will also be on floor one as they will all collectively have to adapt to the new coaching staff and learn new offensive and defensive sets.
Gates will need a steady hand to help guide the Tigers. Missouri figures to come out hot. They start the season with a soft out-of-conference schedule. It is not a stretch to say the Tigers will start 9-0. They are certainly taking an loss in their tenth matchup when they face the defending champion, Kansas Jayhawks.
The early schedule should allow plenty of time for Mizzou to come together and establish its identity. Kobe’s veteran presence will be essential as a player and a leader. As Brown’s role and minutes have increased each season, so has his production.
Kobe Brown took a big step last season and will need to do the same in the 2021-22 season
Kobe’s pre-season All-SEC first-team placement puts a lot of pressure on the senior. Something he seems ready for. Kobe retweeted Coach Dennis Gates’ recognition of his accomplishment, fully embracing his role as a leader on the team.
Kobe Brown recognized as one of the top players in the @SEC on Wednesday, becoming the first Tiger in five years to collect first-team preseason all-conference honors! #MIZ 🐯
— Mizzou Hoops (@MizzouHoops) November 2, 2022
📰⏩ https://t.co/TjB0Fq0kao pic.twitter.com/jlvgnjDp1F
In the 2021-22 season, Kobe averaged an additional eight minutes per game. His points per game rose from 8 a contest to 12.5 per game. The assists, rebounds, and steals also increased. The biggest improvement year-over-year is his free throw percentage. After a horrid 54% the year previous, he finished the 2021-22 season shooting 80% from the stripe. In three of Kobe’s last four games, he finished with 16 points or more. In nine of his last twelve games, he pulled down 6 or more rebounds.
Once the Missouri Tigers reach conference play, Brown will be depended on as the lead scorer and go-to option. This team has a chance to do big things under first-year coach, Dennis Gates. A first-team, all-conference player is a good start.
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