Missouri Tigers show off basketball newcomers at fan-friendly open session in Columbia
Months remain before the 2023-24 NCAA men’s basketball season, but Missouri men’s basketball coach Dennis Gates isn’t wasting a chance to stoke excitement for his second season in Columbia.
The Tigers held an open practice Saturday afternoon, inviting the public to catch MU in action as they drilled and scrimmaged and worked to develop over the summer.
Here are three observations from MU’s open practice.
Mizzou has 2 explosive guards
It was never going to be easy to fill the shoes D’Moi Hodge left open as he vies for a roster spot with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Two transfers could provide the answer.
Reigning junior college player of the year Curt Lewis and Indiana transfer Tamar Bates showed they have a speed and shooting ability similar to Hodge’s.
Lewis on Saturday displayed his explosiveness the second he decided where to go with the ball; he also had consistent speed moving the ball across the court.
Bates showed his quickness with the ball. His ball-handling moves were effective and he displayed confidence in his game. Bates was strong in taking the ball on drives, although Gates did ask the crowd in attendance to encourage Bates to shoot the ball more.
Freshman Jordan Butler, rim protector
One newcomer who factors into Missouri’s long-term future, and potentially the short-term future, too, is true freshman Jordan Butler.
The 7-foot center from Greenville, South Carolina was active in drills as a rim protector. He had back-to-back blocks on Noah Carter during a drill and also registered a block against fellow freshman Trent Pierce.
That potential is clear to Gates, but he stressed that Butler’s continued development is not an overnight process.
“He’s getting better, but his process is going to take more time,” the coach said. “When it comes down to what he has, the speed of the game is one thing that he is adjusting to — the requirement of the vocal and the communication.”
Butler has that time now after MU signed 7-foot-5 graduate transfer Connor Vanover.
Freshman Anthony Robinson makes impression
One newcomer who has already earned respect is freshman guard Anthony Robinson.
Hailing from Tallahassee, he said he identifies with Orlando native and Mizzou returnee Nick Honor.
“Anthony’s from Florida, so he’s going to be a good guy,” Honor said. “He just has all intangibles, he’s a hard worker. He’s an outgoing person. People want to be around him. I feel like that’s just everything you want in a leader.”
Robinson might not see much playing time as a freshman, and that makes sense since he’s behind Honor as well as Sean East. Those two sixth-year point guards helped lead MU to an NCAA Tournament berth (and tourney win) last season.
Once East and Honor depart, Robinson will be next up. He already has earned an honor from Gates as a freshman captain, which Gates described as a player who isn’t a team captain just yet but is in line to earn that status.
Gates alluded to how Robinson is a player people already gravitate toward. He might need more development, but he has an entire summer and season to achieve the goals the coaching staff has set forth.
“He’s one of the most underrated freshmen in the country,” Honor said. “We’re just watching development, and when he does his thing I won’t be too surprised.”