NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — In 2002, Jason Crowe was a training camp invitee with the Los Angeles Clippers. That same summer, Dennis Gates had caught the attention of the Clippers coaching staff by working out Quentin Richardson, Corey Maggette and some of the young Clippers stars, and the Clips hired him as a skill development coach.
Crowe, who did not make the roster, never forgot the presence Gates had as a 22-year-old new coach.
NEWS: 5⭐️ Jason Crowe Jr has committed to Missouri, he tells @TheAthleticCBB
On the EYBL circuit he’s averaging 23.8 points, 3 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game pic.twitter.com/svZ2BPJzBZ
— Tobias Bass (@tobias_bass) July 18, 2025
“I was able to just watch him, the style of play, the method of coaching, the way he deals with young men,” Crowe said. “He was a good man, so I was very fortunate he reached out.”
Crowe’s very talented son, five-star guard Jason Crowe Jr., committed to Missouri on Friday, becoming the second-highest-ranked recruit in Tigers history. He’s the highest-ranked since Michael Porter Jr. in 2017. Crowe announced the commitment from the Nike EYBL Peach Jam on his birthday.
Missouri beat out Kentucky and local schools USC and UCLA for the Inglewood, Calif., product.
Crowe, the sixth-ranked player in the Class of 2026 according to the 247Sports Composite, is one of the best shooters in this class and is leading EYBL in scoring at 27 points per game this summer. This is a big addition for the Tigers, who will be a fringe Top 25 team this preseason.
Missouri’s 2026-27 starting backcourt could potentially be Crowe, Anthony Robinson II (9.0 points, 3.5 assists per game last season) and UCLA transfer Sebastian Mack (9.6 points per game). The Tigers will be losing Mark Mitchell in the frontcourt, but that backcourt is a great starting spot for another Top 25 team.
The Tigers have reached two NCAA Tournaments in Gates’ three seasons as coach, including a 22-12 record and No. 6 seed this past year (Missouri lost to No. 11 Drake in the first round).
(Photo: Katie Goodale / Augusta Chronicle / USA Today Network)
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