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basketball Edit

Hoops addition and subtractions

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The transformation of the Missouri basketball program under Cuonzo Martin accelerated on Tuesday night. The Tigers lost two players, but gained a member of the coaching staff.

Sophomore K.J. Walton and freshman Frankie Hughes are transferring from Mizzou.

"We wish K.J. and Frankie the best in their future academic and athletic pursuits," Martin said in a statement. "We will support both of them as much as possible, and assist in their transitions to the best of our ability.”

Walton averaged 6.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore, but struggled to find consistent playing time. He started 17 of Missouri's 32 games, but averaged just 19 minutes and in some games barely left the bench.

Walton told PowerMizzou.com Missouri did not put any restrictions on his release and he would listen to any school that was interested in him. A four-star recruit out of Brownburg, IN two years ago, Walton had offers from Minnesota, Cincinnati and Xavier out of high school before picking the Tigers.

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Frankie Hughes is transferring after his freshman season.
Frankie Hughes is transferring after his freshman season. (Lexi Churchill)

Frankie Hughes scored 23 and 24 points in his first two games as a Tiger, against Alabama A&M and Xavier. He was in double figures in seven of his first nine games, but hit that mark just once in Missouri's last 23 contests.

Hughes returned late from Christmas break and nearly transferred at semester when his high school teammate Willie Jackson left the program. He did not play in the next game, but returned for SEC play. In 19 SEC games, he averaged just 5.2 points in 15.4 minutes per game. He shot just 28.4% from the field in league play, but did average 11 points in the last five games, including a 22-point outburst against Ole Miss.

Hughes initially signed with Louisville, but switched to Missouri in the spring. The three-star Ohio native also claimed offers from the likes of Dayton, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Florida State. He did not return a message from PowerMizzou.com.

The departure of Walton and Hughes leaves the Tigers with three open scholarships for the Class of 2017. Blake Harris and Kevin Knox are expected to be on campus for official visits this weekend.

Martin will hire former Iowa State and Oakland assistant Cornell Mann
Martin will hire former Iowa State and Oakland assistant Cornell Mann (CycloneFanatic)

While two players are leaving, Martin is adding to his coaching staff. A source told PowerMizzou.com that Mizzou will hire Oakland assistant Cornell Mann, confirming a report from Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports on Tuesday evening.

Mann has been a Division One assistant for 16 years at Dayton, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Iowa State and Oakland. He was on Fred Hoiberg's staff in Ames for four years and was a key in the Cyclones landing all-Big 12 guard Monte Morris. His recruiting ties are in the Upper Midwest, particularly in the state of Michigan.

Mann is expected to join Michael Porter Sr. on Martin's staff. Rothstein is also reporting Martin will hire UMKC assistant Chris Hollender.

PowerMizzou.com has also confirmed the Hollender hire with a source. Hollender has coached at Army, Evansville, Mississippi State and UMKC in his career. He was the main recruiter for Quinndary Weatherspoon while in Starkville.

Mizzou has not confirmed the hire of Hollender or Mann, but official announcements could come as soon as Wednesday.

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