Tigers add two early

When Kim Anderson was hired by the University of Missouri he said in his opening press conference that recruiting the state of Missouri would be a priority for him and his program. Due to the timing of his hire, that was not possible with the 2014 class. With just over six months to work, however, Anderson was able to land two of the top five Show-Me State prospects in the class of 2015.

Blue Springs (Mo.) South forward Kevin Puryear checks in at 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds. As a junior, he averaged 19.2 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game. Additionally, he was recognized as a First Team All-State performer.

"It's like a dream come true. I'm glad Coach [Kim] Anderson decided to give me this opportunity. I'm definitely excited to be a part of the basketball program at the University of Missouri," Puryear said.

Pacific (Mo.) guard Cullen VanLeer checks in at 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds. He averaged 21.9 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game and 3.6 assists per game as a junior. VanLeer was named a First Team All-State performer as a sophomore and a junior.

"It felt really good [sending in the signed NLI]. It gets me excited and makes me think ahead more to all the good things that are about to happen being a Missouri Tiger," he said of signing with Mizzou. "It means a lot knowing the coaching staff wants me to be [at Missouri]."

In a release earlier today, Kim Anderson was quick to praise both Puryear and VanLeer for their abilities on and off the court.

"We are excited about the addition of Kevin and Cullen to our program," Anderson said. "Both come from outstanding high school and non-scholastic programs. Kevin has had the chance to play for Coach Jimmy Cain at Blue Springs South High School and L.J. Goolsby at KC Run GMC, while Cullen played for his father John at Pacific High School and Scott Schroepfer's St. Louis Gateway program."

"They are two of the top players in the state of Missouri, and we are elated that they have decided to stay home and be members of the Tiger basketball family. Additionally, they are both high character young men who are winners," he continued.

Anderson even went in to the specifics of what he thinks each player will bring to the Missouri program when the arrive in the summer.

"Kevin is a versatile, combo forward who brings a great blue collar, tough mentality that fits the culture we are trying to create here at Mizzou," Anderson said. "He can shoot it from the perimeter or go inside and mix it up. He takes great pride in being a Missouri Tiger."  

"Cullen meets an important need for us next year," he continued. "He is an outstanding shooter with deep range and is a solid ball handler. Like Kevin, he is also an in-state kid who takes great pride in wearing the Black & Gold. With both young men, Coach Loos did an outstanding job of developing a good relationship early on, along with the rest of our staff."

Puryear and VanLeer are both focusing on their senior seasons right now and trying to make as deep as runs as possible into the playoffs. They will also be keeping a close eye on Missouri and how the team plays in the first year for Kim Anderson. When they are not playing they both will try to make it to as many Mizzou home games as possible.