Vashon High basketball standout Mario McKinney has given a verbal commitment to the University of Missouri.
The 6’2” McKinney made his official announcement on Twitter with a well-produced commitment video, which was released on Monday evening. He chose Mizzou over a final list of schools that included Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Louisville, Auburn, Kansas State and VCU.
Rated as a four-star prospect, McKinney enters the season ranked as the No. 2 player in the state’s Class of 2019 by Prep Hoops Missouri. He is an explosive combo guard who can attack the basket, make 3-pointers and excite the crowd with his all-around athleticism.
In his first two years at Vashon, McKinney was a major catalyst off the bench as the Wolverines won back-to-back Class 4 state championships in 2016 and 2017. As a junior, he assumed the role as the featured player, and he averaged 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in leading the Wolverines to a 20-6 record and a Class 4 district championship. Vashon will be one of the top teams in the state once again this upcoming season with McKinney leading the way.
During the summer, McKinney made his mark nationally while playing for the Brad Beal Elite in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League. He enjoyed a breakout weekend in July at the Nike Peach Jam, which is the biggest summer showcase tournament in the country. McKinney averaged 17 points and seven rebounds a game and was named to the Peach Jam’s All-Breakthough Performers Team.
Mario McKinney will become the second member of the McKinney from Vashon to don a Mizzou basketball uniform. His older cousin, Jimmy McKinney was a former star player at Vashon who went on to enjoy a standout career at Mizzou from 2003-06.
McKinney becomes the first player from the Class of 2019 to commit to Mizzou head coach Cuonzo Martin’s program. Martin has done an excellent job of recruiting the St. Louis metro area since becoming the head coach last year. Players from the St. Louis metro area who are already on the Tigers current roster are sophomore center Jeremiah Tillman from East St. Louis, junior guard Ronnie Suggs from Washington, freshman guard Javon Pickett from Belleville East, sophomore transfer Mark Smith from Edwardsville and freshman Torrence Watson from Whitfield.
