Mizzou basketball added a 7-footer to its 2024 recruiting class. Here’s what it means
The Dennis Gates bat-signal is alight again.
It ensures everyone everywhere can’t unnecessarily chide Missouri men’s basketball for not recruiting height to its roster.
“You guys are upset because you can’t write about us not having height now,” Gates said this past summer while talking about MU’s addition of 7-5 transfer center Connor Vanover. It also applies for MU’s class of 2024.
Trent Burns announced his commitment to Missouri on Sunday afternoon live on YouTube with On3. He’s a four-star center who stands at 7-foot-3. Burns chose MU over Rice, Xavier and Tulsa, and is regarded as a fast riser in the recruiting world.
Burns’ commitment is the fifth addition to Missouri’s 2024 class. He’s also the second center to commit to the group, joining fellow four-star center Peyton Marshall.
This means MU’s 2024 group will have five commits in a class that will be deep and talented. Each of the five commits is rated as a four-star player.
What Burns’ commitment means for Missouri basketball
Burns is rated as the 13th-best center in the country and third-best prospect in Texas by 247Sports.
The Tigers add his talent to the class of 2024, which also includes Marshall, Annor Boateng, Marcus Allen and T.O. Barrett. That class is also rated as the No. 1 overall class in 247Sports’ 2024 recruiting rankings.
Burns will certainly give Missouri depth at center alongside Marshall. Jordan Butler, a freshman this season for Missouri, could grow into a powerful rebounding presence for MU. Adding two 7-footers to the fold just increases the Tigers’ post presence and gives Missouri more pieces to play bigger lineups.
The evaluation of Burns is that he’s a raw prospect, according to 247Sports. He’s still learning how to use his body to block shots as opposed to just altering them. Burns also plays comfortably around the perimeter as a versatile shooter, which fits Gates’ offense.
Fit was something that Burns said he was looking for in his next step.
“Somewhere where I can keep expanding my game, call home,” Burns said before announcing his decision on YouTube. “Where I feel like the coaching staff will prepare me to hopefully reach the next level.”
Burns gives Gates and the MU coaching staff a player to develop in the post who can also play on the perimeter. He fits hand-in-hand with Marshall, who is a force around the rim. Those are two talented centers.
What Burns’ commitment means for Missouri basketball recruiting
Adding Burns means MU has five commits, but it doesn’t mean Gates is done on the recruiting trail.
MU hosted 6-foot-9 center Jayden Quaintance, a five-star prospect, for a visit on Sept. 22. Even with five incoming freshmen, Missouri wouldn’t turn away a sixth who has a five-star rating.
However, with or without Quaintance, MU will have a highly rated class with big long-term potential.
Boateng and Barrett shape the future of the Tigers’ guard rotation, while Allen is a talented wing player who brings elite defensive potential. Add two centers with two versatile skill sets, and Gates has a complete roster he can develop in the 2024 class alone.
Missouri will also most likely have Butler, Anthony Robinson and Trent Pierce as future pieces that could grow with the 2024 class, as well as Tamar Bates, Aiden Shaw and Curt Lewis as pieces that graduate in 2026.
The Tigers’ future is coming into shape.
The Star has partnered with the Columbia Daily Tribune for coverage of Missouri Tigers athletics.
