What four-star center commit Jordan Butler will bring to Mizzou basketball

The recruiting edge Charlton Young brings to Dennis Gates' staff is paying off in big dividends — literally.

Missouri men's basketball landed a commitment Wednesday from Jordan Butler, a four-star center in the Class of 2023, giving the Tigers height to pair with their two other commitments already pledged to the class.

The 6-foot-11 Butler also brings an elite shot-blocking presence at the high school level the coaching staff can try and develop in the SEC. That player development is what convinced Butler to pick Missouri last weekend and announce his decision Wednesday afternoon, keeping that decision close to his chest throughout the week.

"Everything from the coaching staff to the play style (separated Missouri)," Butler told reporters after the announcement, according to the Greenville News. "Major thing was how well they develop their players, get them to the league. Their resume is really good. ... I want to be an NBA player and I think that's my best chance (at) Missouri."

MU can claim a recruiting win in the SEC with Butler's commitment. Butler chose Missouri over Auburn and South Carolina.

During his junior season at Christ Church Episcopal, Butler averaged 14.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game.

Butler is the third player to commit to Missouri's Class of 2023. First was three-star guard Anthony Robinson, followed by four-star forward Trent Pierce. Butler's commitment raises MU's recruiting class ranking to No. 12 overall in the 247Sports team rankings.

The last time Missouri ranked in the top 15 of a recruiting class ranking was in 2017, the class that brought Michael Porter Jr., Jeremiah Tilmon and Javon Pickett to Columbia.

Butler brings top-tier talent to a key position where MU needed depth. Beyond Mohamed Diarra is junior walk-on center Mabor Majak. Majak and Diarra are the only players on MU's roster this incoming season who are 6-foot-10 or taller. Majak is 7-foot-2, Diarra 6-foot-10.

In the 2021-22 season, Missouri's rim protectors were freshmen Trevon Brazile and Yaya Keita, as well as 7-foot-3 Jordan Wilmore. Keita, Wilmore and Brazile have since transferred, making rim protector a greater need.

With Butler, the outlook of the class improves greatly. The depth is better, and the skill level improves with his ability to block shots and rebound. Developing those two skills to pair with Robinson's ability to play point guard and Pierce's ability to play around the perimeter and in the post means MU has added skilled younger players all over the court.

Butler's commitment is another area that showcases Young's recruiting skills.

Robinson and Butler are two players recruited in Young's area. Young has mentioned before how he has had success recruiting top-rated players from out of state.

Two examples of this were Devin Vassell, from Suwanee, Georgia, and Patrick Williams, from Charlotte, North Carolina. Young recruited both to play at Florida State, in Tallahassee, Florida. Young can claim another example with Butler, convincing him to move from South Carolina to Missouri, and away from two opposing SEC programs.

South Carolina may have a first-year head coach in Lamont Paris, but Missouri's effort to successfully recruit an in-state four-star player away from the Gamecocks is a win.

It also helps that Young already has a strong connection with the Butler family to begin with.

Young recruited John Butler, Jordan's brother, to Florida State when Young was an assistant coach with the Seminoles. John Butler declared for the 2022 NBA Draft after his freshman season and has reportedly signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Jordan Butler also received an offer from Florida State, but on May 19 after Young had departed for MU.

Jordan figures to join a rotation that will include Adian Shaw, Sean East, Ronnie DeGray III, Diarra, Nick Honor and Noah Carter. Pierce and Robinson figure to be pieces that can play more around the perimeter, but Butler adds depth to the inside as a shot blocker and rebounder.

Isiaih Mosley and Kobe Brown also have two years left of eligibility. However, those two have the best chance of any play on the current MU roster to turn pro after this upcoming season.

Butler is primed to add much-needed depth and could become a key part of the Tigers' rotation in 2023.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Class of 2023 four-star center Jordan Butler commits to Mizzou