Nov. 14, 2001

Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri men's basketball program added one of the nation's top prep players to its roster for next season, as Jimmy McKinney of Vashon High School in St. Louis, Mo., signed a national letter of intent to attend Mizzou.

McKinney, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound guard, has been a proven leader and an unquestioned winner on Coach Floyd Irons' Vashon squads that have won consecutive Missouri Class 4A state championships. McKinney averaged 23.4 points, four assists and four rebounds per game as a junior, and led Vashon to a 28-1 record last season, and a final ranking of No. 3 in the nation by USA Today. Widely regarded as one of the nation's top 30 players entering this season, McKinney is a pre-season candidate for the prestigious McDonald's All-American Game.

"We're very pleased that Jimmy will be a part of the Missouri family," said MU Head Coach Quin Snyder. "Jimmy comes from a very strong family and super parents. He's an outstanding young man with tremendous character. In terms of the game of basketball, Jimmy has tremendous scoring and passing ability, but of even greater significance is his feel for the total game. He should be an impact player in the Big XII."

McKinney's signing is viewed as important to Snyder in another realm, as well.

"I'm personally excited to have an opportunity to work with one of Coach Irons' young men," said Snyder. "I have great respect for Coach Irons. Vashon is one of the finest programs in the country, and it's important that the top kids in Missouri see our program as one where they can come and grow as players and as young men," he said.

McKinney selected Missouri over Illinois, North Carolina, Kentucky, Cincinnati and Oklahoma, among others. His parents are Jimmy Sr., and Ema McKinney of St. Louis.