After gaining a commitment last week from Auburn transfer Earnest Ross, Missouri coach Frank Haith picked up another transfer over the weekend when Pepperdine combo guard Kelon Bell announced that he was leaving the Malibu, Calif., school to play basketball at Missouri.
Bell passed up a planned visit to Texas A&M, informing PowerMizzou.com that "I felt a lot more wanted at Missouri than A&M. I kind of liked my options at Missouri, so I went ahead and committed," he said.
Bell and Ross will both have to sit out the 2011-12 season, which will work out well for Missouri, which has practically everyone returning from last season’s team. They will both be eligible to play, beginning with the 2012-13 season. The 6-foot-3 Bell averaged 16.4 points a game at Pepperdine last season. Although he can play at both the one and two guard position, he is believed to be better positioned at shooting guard.
"The fact that I have someone sitting out with me – when the team travels I have someone to stay back with me, go to the gym and get up shots – was a huge factor (in my decision)," Bell said.