It’s only been four months since Missouri head coach Dennis Gates brought on Tim Fuller onto his staff, but the impact of the Tigers’ first-ever general manager is already being felt. That was evidenced on Saturday, as the team held a Pro Day at Mizzou Arena, practicing in front of scouts and media.
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Gates said Fuller and assistant GM Brandon Simberg deserved a lot of the credit for organizing the event.
“(I tasked them with) growing this thing compared to what I was able to do on my own,” Gates said. “So the one thing I want to credit is this. I tasked our GM, Tim Fuller, our assistant GM, Brandon Simberg, with the task of growing this thing compared to what I was able to do on my own. And when you have a staff to be able to concentrate on, you know, small tasks like this, they can put more time into it, whereas I can now just concentrate, hands-on, on different things.”
Representatives from the Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Pelicans, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards were all in attendance, sitting courtside to get a firsthand look at the black and gold.
Gates said an event like Saturday’s gives his players an opportunity to show the work they put in and underscores what he wants his program to be about.
“During the recruiting process, we sit here, I sit there and talk about development,” Gates said. “So these guys have a file that the NBA keeps, and that file represents their growth. Whether they’ve been with me or another coach, they’re now a part of my program forever, and I want to make sure I build onto their files, making sure they have an opportunity to not only get a job, but keep a job. And if that comes down to personality characteristics, character as well as skill development, but also the disposition that they play with, that’s why it’s important.”
A month out from the start of the season, Gates said he’s got a pretty good idea of what he has with this year’s roster. He’s been impressed by the way his returners have led the group and how his newcomers have assimilated into the system.
He’s notably been impressed with Anthony Robinson II, whom he has high expectations for going into his junior year.
“Ant Robinson, I truly believe, has been playing basketball in a desperate space, trying to cut out time for himself, trying to earn minutes,” Gates said. “Although he was not on one practice (with the) first team, he was still a starter last season. And now that leadership that I put him in has allowed him to be in this space. Now I want to see him take more shot. That will come by the minute increase. He and Mark Mitchell have to lead this team in minutes played per game, and if they do their jobs, I believe our nucleus, meaning the leadership, will be able to move the body. And our body needs to follow.
“The most important thing (with Robinson) is trusting himself, trusting what he’s been able to do. He’s been a freshman, and we know that that transition was a big jump from freshman to sophomore year. If he can make another jump like that, I believe that’s what these pro scouts are wanting to see, and he’ll end up being a professional basketball player. But before that, his team will win a lot of games, and we need him to be able to take away from Caleb Grill and Tamar Bates’ graduation. He’ll be able to now get a volume of three point shots and attempts, but also the minutes. That is the most important part. He has to stay out of foul trouble, which I think he’ll do, but he’ll be able to play a volume of minutes that’ll allow us to go in the right direction.”
Gates will spend the last few weeks of the offseason focused on getting his players to execute at the level he needs them to before their non-conference slate gets underway. He’s felt the extra support he has on this year’s staff.
“It never gets easy. I still have to lead and manage. But these guys lift the load off my shoulders where I can fully concentrate and invest in what I need to invest in,” Gates said. “So I’m thankful of what Tim Fuller has brought to our to our program, to our team. I’m thankful how our players have responded, but I’m thankful to be the head coach here at Missouri.”
Other quotes from Gates:
On where how Trent Burns is recovering from his foot injury…
“It’s the same statement that came out. His return to play protocol, he’s already in it. It’s great to see him do his rehab where there’s jogging, light running, things like that — he’s on the treadmill. I trust our trainers, I trust our strength and conditioning coach, but I also trust Trent. The only person that knows how they feel is Trent Burns. And ultimately, he’s still targeted to play in that first game, or at least around that area.”
On what’s stood out about Shawn Phillips Jr.…
“Shawn Phillips is a veteran in the SEC. You look at what he’s done as a freshman, sophomore, junior, and this is his fourth year, he gives us a vertical threat around the rim, a shot blocker, but also a guy with elite athleticism and elite rebounding per minute. He’s planning a new system, so that’ll take some adjustment. But I’m excited with what I see, but also how he’s responding to his teammates.”
On what’s stood out about Sebastian Mack…
“Sebastian Mack is, along with Ant Robinson and Mark Mitchell, one of the top college players to draw fouls off the dribble. He’s an elite free throw attempts guy, he can get downhill, but he’s a three-level scorer. What I do want him to do is get more comfortable. You saw him in his actions — now, he has to learn to play with a little more pace, stop and go, versus just one speed. And he’s doing a tremendous job assimilating into our culture.”
On how freshmen Aaron Rowe and Nicholas Randall have adjusted so far…
“Well, both are running different races. Nicholas Randall, tremendous high school player, as well as Aaron Rowe. But they’ve got two different paths, two different positions. So the pressure that I’m putting on Aaron Rowe is elite to the pressure, and similar to the pressure, that I put on Ant Robinson as a freshman. He can do nothing right in practice. I am going to push him as a leader down the road, but not immediately, right? Nicholas Randall has to be ready to go, whatever that is, whatever that means, on and off the court. But both of those guys come from great AAU programs, their AAU programs have done a great job. Their high school programs have done a great job. They’ve had great players and great coaches in their lives. So I’m very thankful of those guys, choosing Missouri, choosing me to be their coach, but also trusting. These guys are trusting, and I’m excited to coach them, and I’m excited to see where their future goes.”
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