Mizzou Standout Jimmy McKinney To Play Professionally In Germany
7/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
July 16, 2006
Frankfort, Germany - Former University of Missouri standout Jimmy McKinney will begin his professional career in Germany, as the 2006 honorable mention All-Big 12 honoree inked a two year deal to play professionally with the Deutsche Bank Skyliners of the German League over the weekend.
A four-year starter for Mizzou, McKinney averaged 12.6 points and 3.7 rebounds as a senior and was the top senior scorer in Big 12 play, increasing his numbers to 13.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. One of the more well-rounded players in Tiger history, McKinney finished his Mizzou tenure as one of only four players to record 1,100 points, 400 rebounds and 300 assists. The St. Louis native joined Mizzou All-Century Team members Melvin Booker, Doug Smith and Anthony Peeler as the only other Tigers to accomplish the feat.
"Jimmy is an all-arounder," Deutsche Bank Head Coach Charles Barton said. "He can play both guard positions, score, pass, and play good defense. But overall I was impressed by his positive character. Jimmy is a good kid, and I'm looking forward to working with him".
A team captain and starter in all-28 games last year, McKinney finished his career ranked among Missouri's top 10 in a number of statistical categories, including free throw percentage (6th - .798), assists (8th - 349), three-point attempts (8th - 371) and three-point field goals (10th - 123). McKinney also made an impressive 115 starts over his four seasons in Black and Gold and played in 123 consecutive games after missing the first game of his career with a fractured frontal sinus.
A steady scorer for Mizzou last season, McKinney reached double figures in 12-of-16 Big 12 games, including a career high 23 points in the home win over Oklahoma State, 22 at home against Colorado and 19 in the thrilling 89-86 overtime win against Kansas in Columbia.
McKinney and the Skyliners begin workouts in mid-August, with the team's season-opener scheduled for Oct. 1 in Frankfort.
