Former BYU forward Kennard Davis Jr. is set to team up with Kansas transfer Bryson Tiller at Missouri next season.
Davis announced his commitment to the Tigers on Friday following stops at Southern Illinois before joining the Cougars squad last season. The St. Louis native is headed for his home state to play for Dennis Gates with his final year of eligibility.
Davis, who averaged 8.5 points and 2.7 rebounds through 29.6 minutes per game last season at BYU, made headlines last November for a since-dropped DUI charge and served a two-game suspension. The four-star transfer hit the portal on April 9.
Davis is the second Big 12 player to join the Gates program since Tiller sent a message to Bill Self and Kansas by committing to arch rival Missouri last month. Next season, Kansas and Missouri will round out their six-game Border War series in Kansas City.
Kennard was largely a contributor to a quality BYU team led by AJ Dybantsa last season, and it’s certainly imaginable that Kevin Young would’ve loved to have him back. Instead, Davis is opting for Missouri and the SEC with his final season of college basketball.
Wherever you stand, Missouri has a solid picture coming together on the block. Davis, Tiller, Tennessee transfer Jaylen Carey and Providence transfer Jamier Jones are all potential starters and could end up a tough assignment in the frontcourt.
All the money talk aside, Missouri had a key recruiting advantage with Davis considering his ties to the state and one of its largest metro areas with deep alumni ties. Missouri, on the court, is coming off back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, albeit two first-round losses in Gates’ third and fourth seasons as head coach.
