Signing Day Report: Reed Nikko

Ryan James November 13, 2015 @ 04:00 PM

<h2>Signing Day Update</h2>Mizzou Men's Basketball head coach <a href="http://www.mutigers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=315" id="sidearmAd1" rel="smarttag">Kim Anderson</a> has announced three signings for the program's 2016 recruiting class, with future student-athletes Willie Jackson (Cleveland, Ohio), Reed Nikko (Maple Grove, Minn.) and Mitchell Smith (Van Buren, Ark.) inking with the Tigers. "We're excited about the young men who have signed their letters of intent to come to the University of Missouri to play basketball," Anderson said. "We feel like we've addressed some needs for our program. One of our main goals was to recruit size. With all three guys, we've got some bigger players. "The thing we're always looking for is young men who have been successful at their previous institutions and who will be great representatives of our university. All three of these young men are like that. They've been extremely well-coached at the high school level. We look forward to welcoming them to Mizzou to be a part of our family." Nikko, a traditional post-style player, also starred on the travel ball courts for Net Gain. As a junior in 2014-15, Nikko averaged ten points, eight rebounds, and three and a half blocks per game on one of the state's best teams. He chose to wear the Black & Gold over offers from Kansas State, Minnesota and Iowa. "We're looking forward to having Reed in our program," Anderson said. "He'll bring some size, which is something we'll need, especially with the graduation of <a href="http://www.mutigers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4193" id="sidearmAd2" rel="smarttag">Ryan Rosburg</a>. He's a true back-to-the-basket player and has been very successful in high school. He's continued to grow as a player every year. We feel he'll continue to mature and become a great player in the SEC." Everything changed in the recruitment of Reed Nikko last spring when Missouri offered a scholarship. Since that point he was offered by Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas State, and others but throughout the process, it was the Mizzou Tigers that were the choice in the end. "I called Coach (Kim) Anderson and said I'd like to commit," Nikko said after his 8pm announcement. "He was very excited and said he thinks it's going to be a good fit for both of us.” Nikko visited Missouri last weekend officially and everything on the trip went well. “After my official visit everything about it just felt right and everything about the campus I loved. I think it's truly the best fit and going to be the best situation for me. “One of the bigger things was after spending some one on one time with the coaching staff, I felt a lot more comfortable with playing under those guys and I think they do a lot of things right with the program. “The facilities were great. I think everything (the coaches) want to do and everything they’re trying to do with their program are things I believe are ways to win in basketball and ways I think I can fit into their program.” The Tigers are coming off a 9-23 year and they have made some big changes. Playing early is something that could definitely happen although it will have to be earned. "They've told me that's not something for sure, that's something that still has to be earned," Nikko said. "But that did factor fairly heavily into my decision having a chance to play early there. “What they told me is they would need me to play in a five or four role and be a physical player down low. They said one of the reasons they recruited me was I’m more of a traditional post player.” The one question people are asking is about scholarships. The Tigers have taken commitments from two others players already and only have two scholarships to give in 2016. With Nikko committing to the program, they have three committed players for the class. “They told me they know that on paper they don’t have a spot, but they said would take a commitment, and obviously they did,” Reed said. “I’m just going to trust them and I’m sure it’ll work out fine.” Reed would like to sign in the fall but because of the Mizzou scholarship situation he may have to wait until the spring. Whenever he signs there will be many in the Twin Cities excited and proud of him as Reed’s journey of success continues. Nikko showed bigs signs of improvement in June and July and he continues to play for his father Russell Nikko who died just over two years ago. Reed told Dave Matter of the St. Louis Dispatch that he continues to play for his father. “I know he’s looking down on me right now and I'm sure he’s proud,” Reed said. “But a lot of what I’ve done the past two and a half years has been for him. It means a very great deal to me to do this for him. He coached me growing up.”