Rising junior point guard
Travis Jorgenson of
Rock Bridge High School, located in Columbia less than 10 minutes from the University of Missouri campus, made a verbal commitment to embattled Tiger head coach Frank Haith on Thursday.
"After talking with Coach (Frank) Haith and Coach (Isaac) Chew, I felt like it would be the best place for me," Jorgenson said.
The 5-foot-11 future Tiger averaged 11.1 points and 6.2 assists per game as a sophomore at Rock Bridge, leading the Bruins to a 22-6 record and state semifinal appearance. Mizzou fans should have no problem following his progress over the next two years playing just minutes from the heart of campus.
"I tried to keep an open mind," Jorgenson said of weighing his college options. "But I would say the fact that it's my hometown was definitely a factor."
Jorgenson also found success with KC Pump-N-Run over the summer, teaming with fellow 2013 standout guard
Conner Frankamp and 2014 star
Dominique Collier to help the club team capture the adidas Super 64 title in Las Vegas. Frankamp is committed to Kansas, setting up a future matchup between the two at the college level.
"It was a lot of fun playing with those guys," Jorgenson said. "Not only are they great players but great guys, as well."
Jorgenson's commitment comes despite a recent cloud hovering over Haith, who has been linked to the Nevin Shapiro scandal at Miami. He isn't ruling out expects to be playing for Haith when he arrives in the fall of 2013.
"They are hoping the Miami situation is handled quickly, but also let me know that there are no guarantees," Jorgenson said of discussions with the staff on the matter. "After talking with them though, I feel like they are going to be there."
Jorgenson joins a 2013 recruiting class at Missouri that already includes 6-8 North Carolina forward
Tyrek Coger. The Tigers have three commitments in the 2012 class.
