Dec. 15, 2001

Columbia, Mo. - University of Missouri first-team All-Big 12 wide receiver Justin Gage (Jefferson City, Mo.) will apply his athletic talents to the hardcourt for a third consecutive year. Gage has decided to join the Mizzou Basketball squad, as announced today by MU Head Coach Quin Snyder.

Gage, a 6-foot-4, 208-pound wide receiver who blossomed into one of the Big 12's top offensive threats this past season for the MU football team, is expected to join the basketball squad before the end of the month.

Gage has played in a total of 49 games the past two seasons for Snyder, and has averaged 2.1 points and 2.3 rebounds per outing. On the gridiron, he has led the football team in receiving each of the past two years, including 74 receptions in 2001 for 920 yards and five touchdowns. His receptions mark was just one catch shy of the single-season school record.

"We're very pleased to have Justin join our team," said Snyder. "He's such an outstanding competitor who has a knack for raising the intensity level not only in games, but in practice every day. Only Justin, Kareem (Rush) and Clarence (Gilbert) have been with us all three years, and he's played an integral role in helping us win games," he said.