Almost exactly a year ago, Robin Pingeton opened her office door, expecting to see Missouri Athletic Director Jim Sterk there for a meeting he scheduled.
Instead, the head women’s basketball coach saw Sterk standing with Heather Buechter, Missouri’s director of basketball operations, Grace Berg and Berg’s family.
Berg, a 6-foot forward from Indianola, Iowa, didn’t have to say anything.
Pingeton knew. The No. 37 recruit in the nation had just verbally committed to play at Missouri.
“She had the biggest shocked, surprised face ever,” Berg said. “She looked at me and ran and hugged me. She wouldn’t let go. It was awesome.”
Berg signed her letter of intent Wednesday, officially committing to play for Pingeton and the Tigers next year. ESPN’s HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings has her at No. 2 in the state of Iowa, and she’s a two-time First Team All-State honoree.
Now that it’s official, she can’t wait to come to Columbia. And Pingeton can’t wait to have her on the team.
“She’s a special young lady and she definitely fits our Mizzou-style of play,” Pingeton said. “She’s going to be a great motion-offense kid with a high basketball IQ. She’s just another strong and versatile player who can play the perimeter.”
Last year, as a junior, Berg averaged 20.4 points and 10 rebounds per game. With 36 points in Indianola’s quarterfinal win last year in the state tournament, Berg set the 5A single-game state tournament scoring record with 36 points. She led the state with 68.3 percent from the field last season.
At Indianola, Berg played against freshman guard Elle Brown when Brown went to Johnston High School before moving to Columbia last year to play at Rock Bridge High School. The two developed a connection and have talked about Brown’s upcoming season with the Tigers. Berg plans on watching Missouri open its season in the Hawkeye Challenge this weekend in Iowa City.
“I asked (Brown) about the games, and she said she’s a little nervous but it’s super fun,” Berg said. “She loves it down there and she’s already made lots of friends, which gives me some comfort.”
Berg chose Missouri over Drake, Iowa and Michigan State. Columbia felt like a second home to her, she said.
Pingeton was the biggest reason, though. Berg said she had an instant connection with the head coach because she reminded Berg of her mom.
“(Pingeton) is always encouraging and she’s straight up,” Berg said. “She doesn’t beat around the bush, I would say. I like that. I know that she’ll push me as a player, so that’s another big thing.”
Pingeton doesn’t get surprised often. But the face-to-face verbal commitment was a welcome one last November. And next year, Berg will be a welcome newcomer for Missouri.
“I’m just excited to get down there and start playing,” Berg said. “Like, ‘Is it next year yet?’”
