Recruiting Report: Malik Missouri (2021)
Junior seasons are often times the most crucial for basketball prospects. In many cases, the players are starting to grow into their bodies and really learn how to assert their skill set to become a consistent impact in their respective league.
For 2021 wing Malik Missouri, this is exactly the case. At 6-foot-5 with a great wingspan, Missouri fits the bill for a Division I wing. Throughout his high school career, he’s shown flashes of being a special prospect. Now as his junior season approaches, making sure that those flashes become consistent is a major focus of his.
“I have to become more of a leader,” Missouri said as he reflected on his role this upcoming season. “It’s a great opportunity to become a better leader. I’ve been on varsity for two years, now going on my third year. Since Jalen is gone, I just feel like I have to pick up the pieces. Doing things such as sticking the best player on the court, putting the ball in the rim, rebounding and just doing everything basically to make sure we get the win
Missouri had an up and down sophomore season for Gilman, but from talking with him and seeing where his mind is, all directions point to a productive junior campaign. Last year, he could count on Jalen Rucker (Army) to create and do much of the scoring for the Hounds. Now that Rucker is gone, the load will fall on Missouri’s shoulders. Forcing him into such a role could be the push he needs to get that potential out of him.
“We want to change the culture,” Missouri told Prep Hoops. “The last two years that I’ve been on varsity we haven’t been winning a lot, so we want to make it to the playoffs, and see how far we can go. I think that’ll be a good first step in changing the culture. I just want to win. That’s all I want.”
College programs have been keeping their eye on Missouri since he was a freshman. His length, potential and skill set are all things that catch coach’s attention for the next level. Along with bigs who can shoot, versatile wing defenders who can guard multiple positions and put the ball in the hoop are the hottest things on the market.
“The Ivy League schools are recruiting me heavily,” Missouri continued, “Princeton, Yale and Columbia. With that, I just gotta make sure my grades and stuff are on point. Right now I’m working on my SAT scores and whatnot, but I feel like Gilman has prepared me for all of that.”