University Of Missouri Basketball Secures New JUCO Recruit

The University of Missouri has a new head basketball coach in Dennis Gates. Any college coach in athletics knows that one of the biggest parts of the job is recruiting. You have to be able to get student-athletes to commit to coming to your university. All colleges can offer athletic scholarships. But playing time, a National stage, and probably a starting position on a team can help.

Sean East II, the national junior college player of the year, committed to Missouri. East made the announcement on Twitter shortly after noon on Friday.

Sean announced his verbal commitment to the Tigers on Friday. East, 22, who played this past season at John A. Logan College in Carterville, Illinois, had Mizzou among his six finalists earlier this month, along with BYU, Clemson, Kentucky, Oregon and South Florida. Coach Gates just secured his point guard for the upcoming season. You can read more on this story HERE.

East won the National Junior College Player of the Year Award after he averaged 20.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game this season. The Sophomore point guard was a 1st team juco All-American and scored 20 or more points 13 times in his lone season at John A. Logan College in Illinois.

East will have some other recruits to pass to this upcoming season. Coach Gates has been busy. Northern Iowa forward Noah Carter, Cleveland State guard Tre Gomillion, Blue Valley HS forward Aidan Shaw, juco forward Mohamed Diarra and Milwaukee guard DeAndre Gholston all have been recruited by Gates. Looks like they are ready for next season.

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Gallery Credit: Brian Budzynski