MU basketball signs two forwards
Missouri announced the signing of two basketball recruits today: Jon Underwood, a 6-9 forward from Phoenix, and Tyler Stone, a 6-7 forward from Memphis, Tenn.
Underwood led Princeton Day Academy in Lanham, Md., to a 33-3 overall record and a No. 7 national ranking in the final National Private School Athletic Association polls, while Stone was an All-City pick in talent-rich Memphis after helping Central High School to a 25-4 overall record.
“I’m excited to welcome both Jon and Tyler to the Missouri Basketball family,” MU coach Mike Anderson said in the school’s news release. “We addressed some of our basketball needs with these two young men and we also added two quality individuals to our locker room. They fit what we are looking for with regards to size and athleticism and they join both Mike Dixon and Keith Dewitt to give us another good recruiting class.”
A First Team All-American by the NPSAA, Underwood led his team to a pair of national title game appearances by averaging 18 points, 11 rebounds and eight blocked shots. The 190-pound forward was named to the All-Tournament teams at the National Athletic Christian Association Championships in Dayton, Tenn., and the National Christian School Athletic Association Championships in Erie, Pa. He also earned All-Tournament honors at the Nike iS8 Tournament in New York and at the Crossin Memorial Classic in Plymouth, Pa.
Prior to his time at Princeton Day, Underwood was one of Arizona high school basketball’s elite shot-blockers. As a junior he blocked better than 200 shots at Alhambra High School in Phoenix, Ariz., and produced three triple-doubles (points-blocks-rebounds), two block-rebound double-doubles, three point-block double-doubles and four other point-rebound double-doubles for the Lions.
Stone continues Missouri’s growing pipeline to the city of Memphis following athletic forward Laurence Bowers (Memphis, Tenn. / St. George’s) who electrified Tiger fans with his play as a freshman.
A 6-foot-7, 225-pounder, Stone brings a versatile game after starting two seasons at Central High School, where he averaged 15 points and eight rebounds as a senior. An All-City and All-Region selection by the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Stone was named the District 16 AAA MVP and is considered a rising standout in the Memphis area after recently turning just 17-years-old.
Stone and Underwood join Mike Dixon (Lee’s Summit, Mo. / West) and Keith Dewitt (High Point, N.C. / Charis Prep) as signees for the Tigers starting with the 2009-10 season. Dixon was recently named Mr. Basketball in the state of Missouri after averaging 24.2 points, 5.5 assists and 3.1 steals for the Titans.
this recruiting class wont be enough to get them as far in the tournament as they made it this year. this years tourney run was a fluke because theyre opponents played bad games, and not all because of Mizzous “40 minutes of hell” defense. who cares. theyll finish middle of the road in the big 12 and be lucky to win a game in the tournament
Penetrating, insightful analysis from our friend Adam (as well as some evidence that education in America is in trouble).
Unlike Adam, I think that judging any team in the off season is nearly impossible. I think the 2008-09 Tigers certainly played with such a high level of unselfishness and commitment to the team that they were able to exceed the sum of their parts by far. Losing Carroll and Lyons will be a huge blow, but that’s the nature of college athletics. Next year’s team figures to be led from the back court by Taylor and Tiller. I’ve seen enough from Bowers, Safford, and Ramsey that I’m not too worried about the inside game. Only time will tell for certain, but I’m looking forward to seeing the next crop of Tigers perform.
Mike Anderson certainly seems at this point to have a solid plan for recruiting players for his system, and I’m not going to second-guess without seeing things play out on the court.
wow fans like these who needs who needs enemys. This tells you when someone is doing a great job cause there are always a hater out in the midst that has to tell you all your hard work don’t mean a thing. I got Mizzou Final 4 next season Lets make it happen Coach
LET’S GO MIZZOU SHAKE DAM HATER’S OFF.
If the main reason for the Tigers to advance in the dance was because their opponents played bad games, it stands to reason that their loss in the great 8 was due to them playing a bad game. They could be national champs if the remaining opponents woulld have played bad games.
The Anderson game is refreshing and cerainly entertaining. Note also that his men do well academically.
Hey Adam, you may want to go back and check Memphis’ shooting % from that sweet 16 game. Mizzou dropped over 100 points on a team that gave up about 60 per game. Foolish comments by you. I dont understand some people’ way of thinking.
Wow Adam2. How long have you lived in Lawrence?
Adam2,
You’re an idiot.
Adam probably did not watch the games or knows so little about basketball he did not know what he was seeing. In the Conn. game it was VERY clear the Tigers had them frustrated. It was very close to a remarkable upset. These are good times for Tiger fans. Drink it up and let the Adams of the world wallow in their own negativity.
With that said I do wish they would get a big man. Go Tigers!
Sweet, now all we need is 33 bad games by opponents this year and we’ll win the NC!
On a serious note, how sweet is it for Papa Mike to start dipping into the well of Memphis talent!!!??? That’s a really good sign! Also good to see some more height coming in. I’m excited to watch MU again!
As far as replacing exiting players go, Carroll will be hard to replace in the tenacity that he brought to the table. Bowers will be an upgrade over Leo’s sulking performances in the near future, if not immediately. Would be more exited if KU hadn’t just purchased an NBA starting five with their recruiting.