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News and Observations From Mizzou’s Pro Day
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- News and Observations From Mizzou’s Pro Day
The media, alongside pro scouts, had an opportunity to take in the action Sunday at Missouri men's basketball's pro day.
Mizzou had two hours of open practice featuring drills and a scrimmage, followed by media availability with head coach Dennis Gates.
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Here are some of the key things I noticed about the Tigers, and what Gates had to say:
Mitchell, Gunn both present and active
Mark Mitchell and CJ Gunn both participated in the drills and scrimmage portion at pro day. The pairing are still working their respective paths through the legal system to gain an additional year of eligibility but are on MU's digital roster and appear to be ramping up for the season like normal.
"This is a new form of patience," Gates said about waiting for the legal process to play out. "This is the first pivotal moment where it can be cut on, shut off, cut back on, shut off, and we just simply have to be patient — as patient as we can be — and we've just got to honor what takes place."
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Gunn showcased the shooting ability that headlined his addition, rarely missing off the catch or in transition. Gates also mentioned his rebounding and said he gives the Tigers the ability to toy with some perimeter shooting-oriented lineup combinations that would also include Trent Pierce and Jason Crowe Jr.
"He plays the right way," Gates said, "He gives us length, he gives us athleticism and he spreads the floor."
Stansberry taking on larger role than expected
Cord Stansberry is expanding his role, both on and off the court, in a way that not many projected during the offseason. Gates announced that the Western Carolina transfer is one of two team captains that have been selected so far, alongside Trent Pierce.
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"He could have went anywhere in the country, but he came to a place that didn't promise him anything," Gates said, "And when you have that type of demeanor and disposition, you want that to spread within your locker room, and I want that to be as contagious as possible."
Stansberry was also seen bringing up the ball up the court often during the scrimmage portion when he wasn't paired with Jason Crowe Jr. or Aaron Rowe. Gates mentioned Stansberry as one of the players that has impressed him with their ball handling and ability to run the offense, alongside Bryson Tiller, Kennard Davis Jr. and especially Rowe.
"His growth, his speed, his athleticism is essential to our game and what I see in this team," Gates said of Rowe, "We have to continue to win the assist attempts, and Aaron Rowe is a guy that will provide a lot of that."
Tiller showcases physicality, speed
Bryson Tiller displayed the tools and talent that made him a top get for Mizzou in the transfer portal during the scrimmage portion.
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He was able to outmuscle other players for rebounds multiple times and use his physicality effectively, something that will be crucial as he seems likely to play at the five and also play more minutes in Columbia. But Tiller also made the most of his speed, running the floor well in transition and keeping pace with Mitchell to block his layup attempt at the buzzer to end the scrimmage.
"He's sort of a combination: he has strength like Kobe Brown, he has the ability and fluidity of Mark Mitchell, but also he has the strength of Bryson Tiller," Gates said. "He played at all three levels, made threes, pull-ups, and you saw strength, you saw his ability to handle the ball with a quick, tight handle. So I'm excited to see how many fouls he can draw."
Injury Updates
With the additions of Gunn and Mitchell to the roster, Gates announced that Annor Boateng is officially out for the season. The junior seemed unlikely to see the floor this year after undergoing surgery on his left leg in February after slipping on the court as he was going for a dunk during a game against Mississippi State last season, but the announcement confirmed what many already expected.
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"I just need to know and make sure he's doing his rehabilitation and he's not trying to go forward too far fast before he's cleared in certain steps," Gates said, "so I just give him space, allow him to watch film, allow him to be a part of both teams, kind of drift a little bit, but also focus on what he needs to focus on."
Trent Burns was available but held out of action Sunday as a precautionary measure after he "got kneed." Gates said they expect him to play in the Tigers' exhibition matchup Oct. 23 against Kansas State.
