Newest Missouri basketball pledge explains why Martin’s Tigers earned his commitment
When the Missouri Tigers played a road game at Alabama last season, then-freshman forward Kobe Brown had about two-dozen family and friends make the trip. Their traveling party made the two-hour trek from Huntsville, Ala., to watch Kobe play in his home state for the first time as a Division I athlete.
That group included Kobe’s younger brother, Kaleb. Kaleb admitted it was “weird” watching his brother play college basketball for another team in Alabama because “everyone expects you to go to Alabama.”
Next time Mizzou plays in the state of Alabama, it’ll be Kaleb’s turn for a homecoming, as he announced his commitment to MU coach Cuonzo Martin’s program Monday. Kaleb spurned offers from other high-major programs, like West Virginia and Minnesota, to pick the Tigers.
“Coaching staff really, just the people,” Kaleb said told The Star in a phone interview. “I’m comfortable there. I’ve been going up there, watching my brother play. ... I’ve been around the players, been around the coaches.”
Kaleb said he attended five games at Mizzou Arena to watch Kobe play last season. The Tigers, for their part, had been recruiting him for the past two years. Kaleb said he talks to Martin “every other day” while staying in touch with Mizzou’s assistant coaches.
There wasn’t too much pressure from Kobe to commit to Mizzou, Kaleb said. Kobe just pointed to the positives of the program instead, letting the culture speak for itself.
“He just didn’t want to pressure me too much and wanted me to make my own decision,” Kaleb said of his brother.
Kobe’s coming off a successful year in his freshman year at Mizzou. He carved out a consistent role in Martin’s rotation, playing in 30 games with 26 starts. The 6-foot-7 forward had his freshman moments, but Martin said he improved throughout the course of the season.
Kaleb said MU the coaching staff recruited him as a point guard — though that may change once he gets to Columbia. Martin told Kaleb he could play multiple positions, from point guard to power forward, in the SEC. For now, Kaleb said he is “getting my body ready to play SEC ball.”
While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cast uncertainty on all sports, Kaleb said he’s comfortable with Mizzou and his decision. The 6-foot-6 guard is the second commitment of Mizzou’s 2021 recruiting class, joining Springfield three-star guard Anton Brookshire.
Kaleb added that he thinks the Missouri campus is “beautiful,” and “I love it.” No word yet, though, on whether he plans to room with his brother in Columbia.
“I might stay by myself,” Kaleb said with a chuckle.