travon signs with Missouri

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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

It's Official: Travon Bryant
Signs With Missouri--(May 2, 2000)

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Photo courtesy of Larry Gray
UltraStudentAthletes Online

Travon Bryant (6'-8" Sr. PF), the highest profile unsigned senior on the West Coast, is no longer "unsigned". He inked his LOI with Missouri today, and the school received it and has issued a press release (see below). Not a big surprise at all, and in picking Missouri, Travon passed up offers from Kansas and Cal (among others). Travon still needs to achieve a high enough score on his SAT to earn freshman eligibility, but he still has several tries to make it. Missouri would likely want Travon to sit as a partial qualifier in the event that he doesn't get the score, but we think that he's not likely to take that route, and would instead elect to do a year at a prep school. If he doesn't achieve the necessary score/GPA in order to be eligible under NCAA regulations, look for another summer of Travon on the Belmont Shore team. . . . of course if he does get the necessary score, then he'll likely be a starter on the Missouri team next season.

Here's the official press release:

Travon Bryant Signs With Missouri

Long Beach, Calif., All-American becomes Snyder's fourth blue-chipper.

May 2, 2000

TRAVON BRYANT, a McDonald's High School All-American from Long Beach, Calif., has signed a national letter of intent to attend the University of Missouri, MU Head Coach Quin Snyder announced today.

Bryant, a 6-foot-8, 235-pound forward from David Starr Jordan High School in Long Beach, averaged 23 points, 16 rebounds and four blocked shots per game as a senior, and was named to the prestigious McDonald's All-American Team. A lefty who can score both inside and outside, Bryant was also named a 3rd-team All-American by Parade Magazine, and is considered to be one of the nation's top power forwards, as well as one of the country's top-20 high school seniors.

"We're very excited to have Travon join the Missouri program," said Snyder, who was named the 1999-2000 National Rookie Coach-of-the-Year by Basketball Times after leading MU to an 18-13 record and an NCAA Tournament berth. "Obviously, with his multitude of accolades, he's an outstanding basketball talent.

Travon has an exceptional feel for the game in addition to his impressive array of basketball skills. We see Travon as an impact player with the potential to be a leader for our program. He comes from a wonderful family and we welcome him to our family at Missouri," Snyder said.

Bryant chose Missouri over California and Kansas. He developed his talents and abilities under the tutelage of Jordan High School Head Coach Ron Massey.

Bryant is the first blue-chipper to sign with Missouri in the spring period (which concludes May 15th), and the fourth overall during the 1999-2000 recruiting season. He will join fellow standouts Rickey Paulding (G, 6-5, Detroit, Mich.), Arthur Johnson (F/C, 6-9, Detroit, Mich.) and Wesley Stokes (G, 5-10, Long Beach, Calif.) as freshmen next fall at Mizzou. The class, Snyder's first full recruiting opportunity since taking over as head coach in April of 1999, will likely be regarded as one of the nation's finest.

MISSOURI BASKETBALL SIGNEES
Tiger Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School)
Travon Bryant F 6-8 235 Long Beach, Calif. (Jordan)
*Arthur Johnson F/C 6-9 245 Detroit, Mich. (Pershing)
*Rickey Paulding G 6-5 200 Detroit, Mich. (Renaissance)
*Wesley Stokes G 5-10 160 Long Beach, Calif. (Poly)
*-Signed in November during the early signing period