Mizzou Basketball: Xavier Pinson signs with Tigers
By Britt Zank
The Mizzou Basketball team got a much-needed upgrade to their backcourt on Wednesday with the official signing of Xavier Pinson.
Mizzou Basketball received a signed national letter of intent from Xavier Pinson on Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA’s spring signing period. The three-star point guard from the Chicago area adds much-needed depth at Mizzou’s weakest position.
Mizzou only has one returning point-guard from the 2017 roster, Jordan Geist. Geist became the only true point guard on the team after the suspension of Terrence Phillips and transfer of Blake Harris. Geist is a solid rotation player, but he and the team struggled with him in the starters spot.
More from Missouri Tigers
- NBA Draft Prospects to Watch From Kansas, Missouri, and Kansas State
- Missouri Tigers: Key Takeaways From Mizzou’s Black and Gold Spring Game
- Why Missouri Tiger’s Tyler Badie Is Worth a Draft Selection
- Mizzou Wrestling Looks To Take On Iowa State
- Mizzou Wrestling Knocks Off Tenth Ranked Oklahoma State
Pinson is a part of a class that will bring some much-needed competition to the position. He was rated as the nation’s 34th point guard in the 2018 class according to Rivals.com. Mizzou head coach said about Pinson, “Xavier is an elite passer who is always looking to get his teammates involved. He is an ideal fit for our program.”
Pinson is the fourth recruit to sign with Mizzou so far this season joining guards Torrence Watson and Javon Pickett and forward K.J. Santos. They are hoping he is not their last signing, however, as they hope to bring in even more point guard competition.
Martin is hoping that added competition comes from four-star recruit Courtney Ramey. Ramey is the 12th ranked point guard in the class according to Rivals.com and would be Mizzou’s start signing of the off-season.
Next: Top 5 All Time Mizzou Basketball Coaches
Mizzou has some stiff competition for his services as just last week he announced his top 10 schools and, along with Mizzou, were schools like Illinois, Ohio State, Oklahoma State and Texas. Mizzou is considered the front-runner for him, but it is far from certain and he has already stated he will take as long as possible to make his decision.
If Mizzou could land Ramey to go with Pinson and hope Jontay Porter will not like his draft placement and return, the Tigers could have a special team for the 2018-19 season. Porter and Jeremiah Tilmon in the back-court with Watson, Ramey, Pinson, and Geist in the front-court would give Mizzou the depth and talent they need to be strong contenders in the SEC.