COLUMBIA, Mo. - Summer workouts are well underway for the Mizzou Men's Basketball team. The Tigers have regrouped with several fresh faces for the 2015-16 campaign. Get to know each of the new student-athletes on next season's squad with a series of features on MUTigers.com.

Incoming freshman Cullen VanLeer comes to Mizzou after averaging 23.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game as a senior for Pacific High School. The sharpshooter played for his father, John, at Pacific. VanLeer became Pacific's all-time leading scorer midway through his senior season, snapping a record that had stood since 1954.

VanLeer is a 6-foot-4 guard that can stretch the defense with his shooting from beyond the arc. He chose Mizzou over offers from Lehigh, Wofford, Missouri State and Evansville, among others.



Q & A with Cullen VanLeer:

Q: Why was Mizzou good fit for you?

CVL: "I've been a part of the Mizzou culture my whole life, so when the opportunity came, I felt it was the place for me. So far, being at practice a lot is why I enjoy it, but when I step out on the court during the season, it'll be even better to play in front of friends and family. It's a great opportunity for me."

Q: What's been the best part about your transition to Mizzou and Columbia so far?

CVL: "Just everything about being in the gym. Having guys here that want to do the same thing and work hard is really great. You couldn't always find an open gym in high school, so just having our facility there and available has been the best part for me."

Q: Describe your game to fans who have never seen you play.

CVL: "As of right now, I'm a 'come-off-screens-spot-up shooter.' As my career goes on and I grow, I want to be able to put the ball on the floor at a more consistent level, which I can do at times now, but I'm not going to be the main guy that handles the ball. On defense, I have to put everything I have into it, because I'm not as fast as most guys, but I'll improve that in the weight room and I'll give all-out effort all the time."

Q: How will you hope to impact the game next season as a freshman who can provide some minutes on the court?

CVL: "I hope to be able to spread the floor for my teammates. Being a shooter, people have to respect that or else I'll knock down shots. That should make things easier for everybody else on the team if I'm able to draw attention."

Q: What's your favorite memory from high school basketball?

CVL: "We won the Owensville Tournament four years in a row, every year I was in high school. It was the first time any team had done that. It's fun to look back on and be able to say I didn't lose a game there."