The buzzer sounds in an empty Mizzou Arena, save for the Mizzou men’s basketball team, coaching staff, media and scouts, announcing the start of a five-on-five scrimmage. The players line up at the half court line, ready to show their skills in front of the people who matter most. The whistle blows, and the teams burst into action, treating this scrimmage just like any other.
Although the audience was sparse, the saying “quality over quantity” kicked in, as the 12 National Basketball Association scouts sitting courtside assessed the Missouri players. Mizzou men’s basketball held its first public Pro Day in coach Dennis Gates’ tenure Saturday at Mizzou Arena.
“I’m just thankful for … the scouts from several NBA teams for at least coming out, looking under the hood to see what we have versus waiting for the games,” Gates said. “I hold these players a responsibility, and that’s to protect their pro careers, but also pushing, and that’s what I think today is about.”
Throughout Pro Day, the team practiced as it normally would. From catch and release shooting drills to transitioning and running the court, the Tigers worked through a regular practice, despite the added pressure.
Representatives from the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets took their places along the hardwood.
While many players and scouts engaged in conversations after the event was over, two of Missouri’s players stood out above the rest: senior Mark Mitchell and junior Anthony Robinson II, both captains and returning Tigers.
“Ant Robinson, I truly believe has been playing basketball in a desperate space; trying to cut out time for himself, trying to earn minutes,” Gates said. “Now, that leadership (role) that I put him in has allowed him to be in this space now … He and Mark Mitchell have to lead this team in minutes played per game, and if they do their jobs, then I believe our nucleus, meaning the leadership, will be able to move the body and our body needs to follow the same way.”
Robinson suffered a slight leg injury throughout the practice, sitting out of some drills and parts of scrimmages. Even so, at the start of the first four-minute scrimmage, he upped the ante by using his voice and communicating with his team.
In the tipoff, Robinson could be heard screaming “Gimme that!” in the back court as the referee tossed the ball in the air. He secured the ball from the jump and facilitated the offense, securing his team the first score of the scrimmage.
“Your voices should be the loudest thing,” Gates said during the practice.
As Pro Day went on, the team ran through drills showcasing different skills. From explosiveness to on-ball pressure to spot shooting to post moves, the drills encompassed many different facets of what this Mizzou team can do.
One name was present in many of the coaches compliments throughout the drills: T.O. Barrett. The sophomore was praised for strong cuts, shot selection, passes and defense.
“What I see is leadership,” Gates said. “The growth of Ant Robinson and Mark Mitchell, but also if you look at T.O. Barrett, you look at Annor Boateng, you look at Trent Burns. Those guys are freshman becoming sophomores, they have wisdom that they can give a first year guy based off their experience.”
The Tigers will have their first chance to show how strong their leadership is on Oct. 24 at Mizzou Arena when they face Kansas State for the first time since 2018.