Mizzou basketball misses on Turner, still awaiting decision from five-star recruit
After making the cut as a finalist, the Missouri Tigers on Monday missed out on one of the top men’s basketball graduate transfers on the market.
Bowling Green graduate transfer Justin Turner announced on his Instagram page he’s staying at Bowling Green for his final year of eligibility. Mizzou was one of three finalists alongside Iowa State and Marquette.
Turner, a Detroit native, would have fulfilled an immediate need for the Tigers and figured to be a starter from the moment he stepped on campus. He averaged 18.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last season for Bowling Green.
Mizzou isn’t finished on the recruiting trail, though.
The Tigers on Monday were still waiting on a final decision from Josh Christopher, rated as the No. 10 prospect in the nation, according to 247Sports. He was expected to announce his commitment later Monday, choosing from his final five schools: Mizzou, Michigan, UCLA, USC and Arizona State.
Christopher, who is cousins with Mizzou strength coach Nicodemus Christopher, has been a target of MU coach Cuonzo Martin’s since he was an underclassman.
The 6-foot-5 guard narrowed his choice to a top-five of schools on March 31. Christopher’s brother, Caleb, plays for the Sun Devils.
The Tigers still have two scholarship spot open after Tray Jackson and Mario McKinney Jr. both transferred. Their lone commitment of the class of 2020 is 7-foot-3 center Jordan Wilmore.
The Tigers are also one of four finalists — along with Iowa State, Marquette and Cincinnati — for Michigan transfer David DeJulius, according to multiple reports. The former Wolverine and four-star guard averaged 7 points and 1.6 rebounds per game coming off the bench last season.
Mizzou is also in the top five for junior -ollege guard RayQuawndis Mitchell. He last played for Otero (Colorade) Junior College, averaging 15.6 points per game. Mitchell is reportedly without a Mizzou offer but is still considering the Tigers.