No NBA Draft: Mizzou announces return of Pinson, Tilmon, Mitchell Smith to hoops team
Missouri’s men’s basketball team got stronger Friday without adding a player.
The program announced that Tigers guard Xavier Pinson and front-liners Mitchell Smith and Jeremiah Tilmon have started the process of withdrawing from the NBA Draft and plan to return to Mizzou next season.
With their return, the Tigers will have 11 seniors and juniors on their 14-man roster for 2020-21, the most in the SEC.
Pinson appeared in all 31 games and averaged 11.1 points in 2019-20, a number that jumped to 18.9 points over the final nine games after he became a starter.
Smith, a 6-foot-10 forward, averaged 5.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and shot 85.4 percent from the free-throw line.
Tilmon has averaged 8.9 points and 4.9 rebounds over his career. The 6-10 senior has shot 56 percent from the floor in his first three seasons.
“I am thankful that despite the process being limited due to the pandemic, all three guys were able to receive key information that can help them in their respective futures,” Mizzou coach Cuonzo Martin said. “We’re thrilled to have a deep, experienced squad back.”
This story was originally published July 24, 2020 at 3:06 PM.