Nov. 20, 2001

Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri men's basketball team has plenty to be thankful for during Thanksgiving week, as Head Coach Quin Snyder announced the signing of top prep prospect Kevin Young to a national letter of intent. Young, a 6-foot-9, 270-pound center, is the final standout of three prep prospects to sign with MU during the Nov. 14-21 period.

Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, Young is in his second year at Berkshire Academy in Homestead, Fla., where he plays for Coach Rolando DeLaBarrera. He is a consensus top-100 prospect by recruiting analysts, and has been ranked among the top-10 post players in the country by one service.

"Kevin is a very talented young man who has a tremendous passion for the game of basketball," said MU Head Coach Quin Snyder. "We're very pleased that he has chosen to come to Missouri to further develop his skills. He is a strong, agile and physically imposing inside player who can impact the game in a number of areas. He will be a good fit with our team," said Snyder.

Young played his junior season at Berkshire with current MU freshman guard Duane John. Together, they helped guide their squad to a 17-2 record and a national ranking by USA Today. He chose Missouri over Kentucky and Miami, Fla., among others.

Young is the third prep prospect to sign with Missouri during the early period. He joins 6-foot-3 St. Louis, Mo. guard Jimmy McKinney and 7-foot-2 Lithuanian center Giedrius Rinkevicius as future Tigers.