ISSUE #7 #8 - -JUNE JULY/AUGUST 2018 2018 SUPER SMITH BROS. CUONZO MARTIN Mizzou Hoops’ Two Newest Transfers Developing HEAD COACH Their Friendship On and Off the Court CORNELL MANN lthough Missouri guards Mark Smith and Dru Smith share the ASSISTANT COACH same last name, they are not related. Yet, if you observed their A interactions over the last eight weeks of Mizzou Hoops’ summer CHRIS HOLLENDER program, then you might be surprised. ASSISTANT COACH Mizzou Men’s Basketball’s two additions, via the transfer wire, have MICHAEL PORTER, SR. already become good companions as each starts their redshirt process ASSISTANT COACH and preparation for the 2019-’20 season. Each of their decisions to transfer from their previous institutions arose NICODEMUS CHRISTOPHER for different reasons. But, it is fair to say, the Smith duo is happy to share DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE their next phase, donning the Black and Gold. MARCO HARRIS DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PAUL RORVIG DIRECTOR OF BASKETBALL OPERATIONS MARCUS GREEN ASST. DIRECTOR OF BASKETBALL OPERATIONS JOHN POETTGEN ASSISTANT TO THE HEAD COACH PAT BECKMANN ASSOCIATE HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER BRANDON BYER GRADUATE ASSISTANT The elder of the two Smiths, Dru, chose Mizzou over a multitude of other BRETT RAU offers from high-major schools after a coaching change occurred at his OPERATIONS INTERN previous school, Evansville. LATISHA MAYES Smith said he desired an upfront and transparent coaching staff that EXECUTVE ASSISTANT would tell him what he needed to hear, which was the bigggest factor during his recruitment. OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF MIZZOU BASKETBALL FOLLOW THE COACHES Dru describes himself as unselfish and a team-first type of player, who relishes the challenge of guarding the opponent’s biggest offensive HEAD COACH threat. In his two years at Evansville, Smith compiled a steal percentage that ranks 10th in the Missouri Valley Conference since the 2009-’10 CUONZO MARTIN season. The other new Tigers’ guard, Mark @CUONZOMARTIN Smith, brought his competitive nature to the table as soon as he arrived on campus. “I have always played with a ASSISTANT COACH mean streak,” Mark said. “Being CORNELL MANN competitive and bringing an edge is who I am when I step onto the @8MILECORN floor.” When it comes to playing as teammates on the court, Mark feeds off of Dru’s innate ability ASSISTANT COACH to see passing lanes and make CHRIS HOLLENDER heads-up plays with control and poise. @COACHHOLLENDER When they take time away from the arena floor, whether it entails a round ASSISTANT COACH MICHAEL PORTER, SR. @COACHPORTER8 FOLLOW @MIZZOUHOOPS AT THESE SOCIAL MEDIA of putt-putt golf, or racing go-karts, Dru and Mark make a concerted PLATFORMS effort to enjoy each other’s company. As their friendship continues to evolve in the upcoming year, each hopes the bond translates onto Norm Stewart Court for seasons to come. For now, the Smith Bros. are just biding their time. @MIZZOUHOOPS PAGE 2 OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF MIZZOU BASKETBALL TIGERS HEADED FOR PARADISE COURT CHAT WITH... Mizzou Hoops will venture to the U.S. Virgin Islands for the #4 2018 Paradise Jam. JAVON PICKETT FRESHMAN GUARD 6’3” / 208 LBS. BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS Q: WHAT FACET OF YOUR DEVELOPMENT DO YOU FEEL YOU HAVE MOST IMPROVED? A: “I would have to say that I grew the most in the weight or the first time in program history, Mizzou Men’s Basketball will room. I spent a lot of time, almost participate in the 2018 installment of the Paradise Jam at the every day, in there with Coach University of the Virgin Islands. Nicodemus trying to work on my F reps and master the technique The Tigers will be joined in the tournament field by seven other of all the lifts. I gained a lot of institutions: Kennesaw State, Oregon State, Old Dominion, Northern knowledge about my body too.” Iowa, Pennsylvania, Eastern Kentucky as well as former Big 12 conference foe Kansas Q: WHICH TEAMMATE OF YOURS State. HAS MOST IMPRESSED YOU OVER THE SUMMER? The Owls of Kennesaw State will be the first- A: “Jordan Geist has done a really round matchup for Mizzou, outstanding job as a great leader. He’s been vocal for us and has had which will be followed all of our backs all summer long. by a second-round game There are a lot of things that I’ve against either Oregon State learned watching him.” or Old Dominion. Tip-off for Mizzou’s opening round Q: WHERE DID YOUR APPRECIATION OF “OLD SCHOOL game is slated for November MUSIC” COME FROM, AND WHY? 16th at 2 p.m. CT. Championship game will A: “Growing up my parents be played on Monday, always listened to that style of music. It is real good music that November 19th at 6:30 can put you in a good place and p.m. CT. All games will be it is just very soulful to me.” streamed on FloHoops TV. For more information on Q: WHICH GUEST SPEAKER THAT HAS COME TO PRESENT TO THE TEAM HAS game times, ticket packages and opponent information for the 2018 STOOD OUT TO YOU MOST? Paradise Jam head over to www.paradisejam.com or MUTigers. A: “Tony Dorn came to talk to us com and follow @MizzouHoops on its various social media accounts about money management. It was (Twitter, Facebook & Instagram). cool to learn about some apps and technology we can use to track our spending and create a budget.” @MIZZOUHOOPS PAGE 3 OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF MIZZOU BASKETBALL COURT CHAT WITH... FORMER MIZZOU HOOPER #0 SIGNS FIRST OVERSEAS DEAL TORRENCE WATSON Kassius Robertson will play for Medi Bayreuth in Germany’s premier basketball league FRESHMAN ormer Mizzou Basketball guard Kassius Robertson officially GUARD signed his first professional contract with Medi Bayreuth of The Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) in Germany. 6’5”/ 204 LBS. F “After careful consideration, my family, very close friends and I have ST. LOUIS, made the decision that Bayreuth is the best choice for me to start my MISSOURI professional career,” Robertson said in a press release. “I can not wait to show all my energy and talent in Bayreuth.” Q: IN WHAT SPECIFIC AREA(S) A First-Team All-SEC selection DO YOU FEEL YOU’VE MOST in his one and only season IMPROVED OVER THIS SUMMER? as a Tiger, Robertson saw A: ”I would say paying attention many of his numbers spike to to detail. Coach (Martin) is really career-highs by the time his big on that front. He emphasizes that everyday on both the playing-career at Mizzou came offensive and defensive ends.” to a close. The Toronto-native ranked fifth in the Southeastern Q: IN WHAT WAY HAS COACH Conference (SEC) in scoring MARTIN’S TEACHING IMPACTED YOU MOST TO THIS POINT? average with his 17.5 points per game (PPG). He also finished A: “When I first met coach, he said I would have the opportunity second in the conference in to play, but that I would have both 3-point percentage (44.4%) to earn it. That pretty much and in three-pointers made per established his values and game (3.3). expectations for me as a player.” Robertson, who originally Q: WHICH FORMER MIZZOU began his collegiate career at HOOPER DO YOU MOST REMEMBER Canisius College, increased WATCHING AS A KID, AND WHY? his scoring averages from his A: ”I’d say Kim English because I junior to senior season by 5.1 PPG and over 4 percent from beyond the remember coming up for Mizzou arc. In addition to his increased percentages, Robertson also made 34 Basketball camps every year in more three-pointers as a Tiger in comparison to his junior campaign the summertime and he was the at Canisius. player that I definetly wanted to Medi Bayreuth’s head coach, Raoul Korner, who has been in that meet the most.” position since 2016, sees Robertson as an instant threat on the Q: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU perimeter because of his natural-gift to shoot the basketball as well as GIVE TO KIDS WHO ASPIRE TO BE his well-doucmented relentless work ethic. A D-1 COLLEGE ATHLETE? “He is considered a hard worker who has mastered every new A: “Be consistent. Players can challenge in his career through his irrepressible will,” Korner told the totally see the guys who have German media. “I’m convinced that Kassius will be a great asset to us and have not been in the gym. in every way.” And if the players see it, you Robertson will replace former Arizona guard Gabe York on the roster. know the coaches can, so you Medi Bayreuth reported for training camp on August 2nd. have to consistently work.” @MIZZOUHOOPS PAGE 4 OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF MIZZOU BASKETBALL @MIZZOUHOOPS PAGE 5 OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF MIZZOU BASKETBALL @MIZZOUHOOPS PAGE 6 OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF MIZZOU BASKETBALL MIZZOU BASKETBALL STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE MONTH #33 CULLEN VANLEER YEAR: SENIOR MAJOR: EDUCATION BIGGEST LESSON: TIME MANAGEMENT WHY: “I don’t think a lot of people realize that being a student- athlete is really a full-time job. I have had to rely on my self- discipline to stay on top of my academics.” @MIZZOUHOOPS PAGE 7 OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF MIZZOU BASKETBALL MORE THAN JUST A GAME Mizzou Hoops players and staff host basketball camps across Missouri and Illinois for community outreach s Cuonzo Martin walked into the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center, in East St. Louis, Illinois, there was a sense that Mizzou A Hoops’ head coach had indeed arrived home. Martin and his men’s basketball staff spent three days traversing across the St.