Missouri Tigers recruit Aidan Shaw reminds new coach Dennis Gates of Florida State talent
New Missouri men’s basketball coach Dennis Gates and his staff have found several players through the transfer portal to built next season’s roster. Another also had to work through a second recruiting process.
But Aidan Shaw hadn’t played anywhere else. He’s an incoming freshman who had signed with the Tigers and reopened his recruiting after they fired Cuonzo Martin.
In a matter of weeks, Shaw, a 6-foot-8 forward, renewed his pledge to attend Missouri.
“The second decision was his best decision,” Gates said.
Gates was attending a Missouri fan function at Chicken N Pickle in Overland Park, about three miles from where Shaw played at Blue Valley High. He’s a four-star recruit, ranked among the nation’s top 75 prospects, who originally selected Missouri over the likes of Kansas, Arkansas and Texas.
Many of those same schools returned to the phone when Shaw posted on his social media account he once again was available.
That’s when Gates went to work.
“I’m excited for Aidan Shaw, excited to be able to lock arms with his dream of one day become a professional basketball player and representing his family,” Gates said. “I’m exciting in partnering with his parents in raising him.
“He’s an exciting player, exciting young man. His future is bright. He reminds me of those players that we recruited at Florida State. His potential is through the roof.”
Gates spent the previous three seasons at Cleveland State’s head coach. Before then, he was a Florida State assistant for eight years and helped land recruiting classes that produced several NBA Draft picks.
Shaw joins a newcomer class that grows by the week. Over the last few days, the Tigers have received commitments from Clemson guard Nick Honor, junior college transfer Sean East and D’Moi Hodge from Cleveland State.
“The landscape of college basketball has changed,” Gates said. “Our recruiting has to revolve with the balance of high school, junior college and portal kid. I’m excited about our last several decisions.”