Guard Frankie Hughes signs with Mizzou, joining high school teammate

Willie Jackson wasted no time talking up Missouri after he learned that Garfield Heights teammate Frankie Hughes received his release March 22 from the national letter of intent he’d signed four months earlier with Louisville.

“When he heard I opened my recruitment back up, we saw each other in school and he kind of just gave me this look, like the ‘You know what time it is?’ look,” Hughes said.

Jackson, who signed with Missouri in November, and Hughes have played together since middle school growing up in Cleveland and are close friends.

“Once I heard that he opened up his recruitment again, I was on the phone quick,” said Jackson, an athletic 6-foot-6 small forward. “I knew we were looking for players, especially guards that can play combo, so I was on the phone quick, trying to sell him big time on joining me. I had to.”

Jackson’s recruiting pitch — with a hat tip to the Tigers’ coaching staff — worked.

Missouri announced Wednesday that Hughes, who averaged 19 points and five rebounds as a senior, signed a financial aid agreement on the first day of the NCAA’s spring signing period.

“I’m pretty excited,” Hughes said. “Going somewhere as far away as Mizzou, I’m happy to have somebody there that knows me.”

Hughes said he’d grown uncomfortable with the situation at Louisville. Allegations that a former assistant coach — Andre McGee, who resigned as an assistant at UMKC in October — paid escorts to have sex with recruits prompted an NCAA investigation and self-imposed sanctions.

The Cardinals’ loss is the Tigers’ gain.

“Bringing someone with Frankie’s ability and attitude into our program is very exciting,” said Tigers coach Kim Anderson, who secured Hughes’ commitment Sunday during an official visit. “ … We feel Frankie’s skill set can make an impact with our program. Most of all, he comes from a great family and is a young man who I think Mizzou fans will enjoy getting to know.”

Hughes and Jackson were both All-Ohio first-team selections last season after helping Garfield Heights win consecutive regional championships for the first time in program history.

The Bulldogs are 47-9 during the last two seasons, including two appearances in the Ohio Division I semifinals, and Hughes hopes to bring that winning mentality to the Tigers.

“I think Mizzou fans will see that I won’t give up on any play,” Hughes said. “If it’s a loose ball, I’m diving. At this level, you have to understand that every play counts.”

Hughes also had offers from Wichita State, Wisconsin, Dayton, Florida State, Minnesota, Penn State and St. Joseph’s, among other programs, according to Rivals.

He’s primarily played shooting guard, but Hughes said he’s also comfortable playing on the ball if the Tigers need him to soak up minutes at point guard.

“Missouri wants me to help out there some and bring energy, scoring and chemistry to the team,” he said. “They’re building a good situation for Missouri, so I’m pretty positive we’re going to have a good season this year.”

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 2:26 PM with the headline "Guard Frankie Hughes signs with Mizzou, joining high school teammate."