Nov. 12, 2000
Columbia, Mo. - Chicago prep standout Najeeb Echols has signed a national letter-of-intent to attend the University of Missouri, as announced today by Head Coach Quin Snyder. Echols is the fourth prep standout to choose Missouri, and the class of four has been ranked as high as fourth-best in the nation by Hoopscoop.
The 6-foot-7, 220-pound small forward is considered one of the nation's top prospects, and has been ranked as high as No. 20 in the country by ESPN.com. He averaged 24 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists per game as a junior at Chicago Whitney Young High School, and led his school to second place in the Chicago Public League playoffs. An all-state special mention in 2000, Echols will attend Chicago's Morgan Park this season.
"Najeeb is a special player," said Snyder. "He is extremely versatile, as he can play virtually any position, and is tremendous leader and proven winner. He will bring a high level of athleticism and intensity to the program, and is the type of player that can make everyone around him better. Najeeb is a solid young man who has a great knowledge of the game, and will be very enjoyable to coach," he said.
Echols chose Missouri over Illinois, DePaul and Houston primarily, and also considered Duke, Michigan State, Kansas, Michigan, UCLA and Cincinnati, among others. He is the son of Jim and Shirley Echols.
MISSOURI'S EARLY SIGNEES Name Ht. Wt. Ppg. Rpg. Hometown/H.S. Najeeb Echols 6-7 220 24.0 12.0 Chicago, Ill./Morgan Park Jeffrey Ferguson 6-10 215 12.2 10.1 Benton Harbor, Mich./High Duane John 6-6 195 32.5 12.1 Toronto, Ontario/Boylen/ Homestead Fla./Berkshire Robert Whaley 6-9 250 17.2 6.7 Benton Harbor, Mich./High