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NCAA Basketball News and Notes: Michigan State Lands Another Five-Star Recruit

Tom Izzo has been on an absolute heater of late. He landed the number one player in the 2022 class, Emoni Bates, and has now landed the No. 1-ranked player in Canada for 2022. Enoch Boakye, a 6-10 center from Mississauga, Ontario, said that Izzo’s visits just to watch him practice sealed the deal.

Boakye is also intrigued by playing alongside Bates. Izzo has landed four recruits since April, and all four of them ranked inside the top 20 nationally.

Izzo has been regarded as one of the most talented coaches in college basketball. This is arguably his most talented recruiting class ever, giving everyone in Lansing hope for a national title

Kunkel Makes His Decision

Adam Kunkel has decided to transfer from Belmont to Xavier. Kunkel also had interest from Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Creighton. Kunkel emerged as a leader for a Belmont team that was headed for the NCAA tournament before the season was canceled.

Kunkel will have two seasons of eligibility left for the Musketeers. The sophomore guard averaged 16.5 points per game and 2.5 assists. Kunkel should immediately help Xavier’s three-point shooting, which was their biggest weakness last season. 

Former UConn Basketball Player Dies

Stanley Robinson, who helped UConn reach the Final Four in 2019, passed away at 32. Robinson, who was commonly referred to as “Sticks,” was found dead in his home by his mother. No cause of death has been announced.

Robinson once scored in double figures in 34 straight games for the Huskies. Robinson played overseas but could never quite break-in with the NBA. 

Louisville Granted More Time to Respond

The University of Louisville was granted an extension of 45 days to respond to allegations of both Levels I and II violations. They had originally been notified of the misconduct on May 4th and had 90 days to respond.

Almost all of the violations were done under former coach Rick Pitino. The NCAA said that the program had failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance. It is unclear what punishment the University of Louisville and Pitino will receive. 

Missouri Gets Good News for Next Season

The Tigers basketball team had three players withdraw from the NBA draft. This is massive news for Missouri as they would have been woefully undermanned next year if the players did not return.

Mitchell Smith, Xavier Pinson, and Jeremiah Tillmon Jr. will all return to the team for next season. Pinson, who is a sophomore, started in 31 games and averaged 11.1 points per game. 

Tillmon Jr. and Smith will both be seniors next year, and both averaged just under five rebounds per game. Cuonzo Martin’s Tigers will have 11 juniors and seniors on the roster, making them the most experienced team in the SEC.

Missouri went 15-16 last season but could be competing for an NCAA Tournament berth if there is a 2020-2021 season. The Tigers have had two straight losing seasons under Martin. 

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