(Photo Credit: Doug McSchooler- Indy Star)
Kim Anderson filled the final spot on his roster Friday evening with the commitment of 4-star shooting guard KJ Walton. Walton verbally committed Friday during his visit to Columbia.
The 6’3” senior out of Brownsburg Indiana averaged 19.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game this past year. He has long arms and is quick to attack, while also being able to knock down outside shots.
According to those who’ve watched him play his shooting ability could use some work, but that likely will improve with increased reps and more time in the gym.
At 180 pounds Walton will need to add some muscle to be a more physical threat on both ends of the floor. With the depth Missouri already has at the guard position it’s hard to tell whether or not he plays right away, but he will certainly get his opportunities.
Ranked as the 103rd player by rivals.com in the 2015 class Missouri hadn’t been on Walton’s radar until recently. Prior to his visit this weekend Cincinnati and Xavier had been the two schools as the front-runner to land him.
After suddenly losing Johnathan Williams III via transfer Anderson came through with the open scholarship in landing an explosive talent this late in the process. Assistant coach Rob Fulford took the lead in getting Walton to Missouri.
Additionally this past week Anderson added an assistant to his staff to replace Tim Fuller. Corey Tate will join Anderson’s staff heading into next year. Tate a former Tiger basketball player like Anderson has been the head coach at Mineral Area College in Park Hill, Mo. for the past 11 years.
In addition to coaching Mineral Area College, Tate is also the coach of the U-17 AAU St. Louis Eagles, where top Missouri talent Jayson Tatum currently plays. Though Tatum has officially eliminated Missouri from his list of schools the connection provides a pipeline to St. Louis talents that could help the Tigers down the road.
Missouri will look to improve from a disappointing 9-23 record this past season.
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