Jonathan Dunn accepts Missouri State offer

Jonathan Dunn (6’7 2022 F) of Yanders Law and We Are United prep has accepted an offer to play for Missouri State University.

Since arriving in Southwest Missouri to finish up his high school basketball career in Logan-Rogersville, Jonathan Dunn has impressed. He was still a bit raw before his time with The Basketball Movement but has proven to be an absolute gym rat, and that work has paid off.

During his time here and with the Yanders Law AAU program, Dunn has gone from athletic forward to a complete player, capable of knocking down the long ball, rebounding at an elite clip, and defending multiple positions. And, yes, he can still put opponents in the rim as well.

After graduating high school, Dunn reclassified to 2022, giving himself more time to gain exposure following a challenging recruiting year due to the pandemic. Dunn has committed to playing for We Are United this fall, and his spring and summer play was all he needed to show what he was truly capable of. Look for Dunn to continue expanding his offensive repertoire and overall feel for the game, working with Rob Yanders this upcoming semester.

Dunn held outstanding offers from Mizzou and Texas Tech before ultimately deciding to attend Missouri State University. Coaches Dana Ford and Corey Gipson know to expect an established rim-runner and high motor guy. But, as he continues to work, the sky is the limit for Dunn.

Congratulations to JD and also congratulations to Missouri State. This pairing should yield impressive results from the get, and we are excited to be able to see it right down the road. Go Bears!

Missouri State parts ways with Coach Lusk

The MSU Bears men's team has finished what wound up being a disappointing season.

The writing was on the wall for Head Coach Paul Lusk, barring anything but a miraculous run to end the season. Recent contract negotiations had already hinted that the separation was eminent.

Lusk was the head coach for seven seasons with the Bears after coming over from Purdue. The Bears finished 3rd in the conference in his first season, which would be the highest finish of his tenure. He finishes with a 105-121 overall record as the leader for the Bears.

A Division I University invests a lot of money in a head coach and has decided to eat the salary for Lusk's final contract year and begin their search. Below is a quote from MSU President Clif Smart per ozarksportzone.com:

“It is particularly important that our men’s basketball season is successful because it is our main revenue sport. I’ve had many conversations with the board of directors and have determined a new direction is necessary.”
— Clif Smart, MSU President

The MSU Bears were loaded with talent this year, higlighted by star senior, Alize Johnson (1st team all Missouri Valley Conference). They were expected to be the top team in the MVC, but had a poor conference showing.

Missouri State finished 18-15 overall, but were only 7-11 in conference play. They won their play-in game against Valparaiso March 1st but fell to Southern Illinois in the first round of the MVC tourney. SIU lost the next game to Illinois State, who went on to fall to Loyola (CHI) in the championship game.

With Alize Johnson and Lusk out, the Bears will have a different look next year. Hopefully the Bears will be able to establish a winning culture and find a way to replicate the success of the Wichita States of the world (though Wichita is still not a state).

With March Madness nearly upon us, keep it locked to The Basketball Movement and follow us on Twitter @BBall_Movement to stay on top the big news in the game.