ST. LOUIS – Super explosive and a highlight reel waiting to happen, Mario McKinney has begun to create a solid following on the recruiting trail. A handful of the better Midwest and Southern programs have started to pursue him.
During his time at the Nike Top 100 event last week, McKinney was one of top standouts thanks to his electric abilities in the open floor and dynamic scoring skills.
“It has been feeling great," he said. "I am truly blessed. Arkansas texts me every day, also Iowa, Creighton, Purdue, Mizzou, Kansas State and Xavier. My latest offer was Xavier. I just picked that up a week ago.”
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IN HIS OWN WORDS
Along with the Xavier offer, McKinney holds scholarships from Missouri, Southern Miss, Tulsa, Kansas State, Duquesne and Auburn. He broke down a few of those involved.
Missouri: “I took a visit there. They showed me around the campus. It would be a great fit for me. I will be sure to keep Mizzou on my list.”
Arkansas: “They are telling me that I fit their team since I like to get up and down and play fast. That is how their guys play. They said that I would be a great fit for them."
Xavier: “We went down there for their one-day shootout camp. I was playing well and they liked me. I fit their system so they said they would love to have me be a part of their team.”
WHAT'S NEXT?
McKinney will finish out his junior summer on the Nike circuit next month playing with the Bradley Beal Elite 16-under team.
No visits are set just yet, though McKinney did mention that trips to Illinois and Purdue could be made before the summer comes to a close.
RIVALS' REACTION
A top-75 prospect in the 2019 class, McKinney has the makings of a day-one producer in college. Best in a scoring role, the St. Louis native will continue to gather offers from some of the top programs nationally, though with the recent uptick in Missouri recruiting the Tigers may be the early leader for the nearby recruit.
