The Missouri Tigers have experienced their most success in a decade under head coach Dennis Gates. But the Tigers are looking to take the next season with a strong 2026 recruiting class that includes six transfers.
Missouri Tigers Finalize a Superb 2026 Recruiting Class
Missouri is coming off a 20-13 season in 2025-26, marking the Tigers’ third 20-win season in four years under Gates. The Tigers finished seventh in the SEC at 10-8 and earned a No. 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they fell to No.7 Miami (FL). Before this stretch, the Tigers hadn’t won 20 or more games since doing so for six straight campaigns from 2008-2013.
Missouri was one of the best shooting teams in the country, connecting on 48.6% of its field goal attempts, which was 29th in the nation. However, the Tigers struggled with turnovers and defensively.
The Tigers lost their top two leading scorers with Mark Mitchell and Jayden Stone exhausting their eligibility. While talented 6-10 wing Trent Pierce returns, the Tigers lost six of their top seven scorers.
However, Gates has done a fantastic job on the recruiting trail. The Tigers picked up a commitment from Western Carolina guard Cord Stansberry yesterday, per Thomas Goldcamp of On3, likely to finish off his 2026-27 roster. Stansberry’s addition gives the Tigers 14 players for the upcoming season. So, while the Tigers could add another player, it likely won’t be someone who will play a vital role this year.
Who is Cord Stansberry, and what does He Bring To The Tigers?
Stansberry is a 6-3 guard who played the last two seasons at Western Carolina. Stansberry has steadily improved as a scorer throughout his career. He posted one double-double and seven 20-point games while averaging 14.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists with shooting splits of 35.9/29.6/80.3 this past season.
Stansberry is a solid high-volume shooter who projects to be part of Gates rotation. He is a capable three-level scorer, though he needs to improve his shooting efficiency. He is also a solid rebounder for his size and an outstanding free-throw shooter.
“I’m pretty much set with our threes, fours, and fives. I think when you look across the country, there’s no better combination of a group than the ones we have in our locker room,” Gates told 247Sports. “And what I’m trying to enhance now is that one and two spot, naturally, a ball-handler and shooting, those two skills. If we can cover one more possible base, it has to be the right temperament, the right personality to do it. I’m not just going to take anybody. So, a level of unselfishness is needed, but a skill set is needed as well. Our staff is doing a great job.”
Tigers Recruiting Rankings
Stansberry is Gates’ sixth transfer and ninth newcomer in what has been a superb recruiting class for Gates. Jordan Crawford (South Dakota), Kennard Davis (BYU), Bryson Tiller (Kansas), Jamier Jones (Providence), and Jaylen Carey (Tennessee) are the Tigers’ other transfers.
Crawford is a 6-2 guard projected to come off the bench for the Tigers, providing ball-handling, scoring, and defense. Davis, who had a big year as a sophomore at SIU, struggled this past season at BYU. Tiller showed lots of promise as a two-way forward at Kansas. Meanwhile, Jones and Carey are solid big men.
“This class certainly has a lot of upside, and Dennis Gates has done well at Missouri, taking the upside guys who underperformed at previous high-major stops,” On3’s Jaime Shaw said about why he liked the Tigers’ recruiting class. “Carey and Tiller both have positional size and have experienced high major production. Davis started 32 games at BYU last season, and Jones is a former top-50 prospect with a lot of upside to still tap into. Even without the consistent proven production, this is a high-ceiling class.”
Gates has also brought in a small yet highly regarded high school class. 247Sports has the Tigers ranked 12th nationally in the 2026 senior class, while On3 has them ranked No. 7. Consensus five-star shooting guard Jason Crowe Jr. leads the way for the Tigers, while 4-star center Toni Bryant and three-star wing Aiden Chronster are also in the class.
Jeff Curry-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
