Missouri Basketball: Why transfer Jamarion Sharp would fit well with Tigers

7’5 center Jamarion Sharp entered the transfer portal after leading the country in blocks per game. Could he fit at Missouri Basketball?

Missouri Basketball has been one of the most active in the transfer portal this offseason. Under new head coach Dennis Gates, the program has not wasted time cleaning house and looks to usher in a new era. Currently, only three players from last year’s Tiger’s squad that went 12-21 and 5-13 in SEC play under former coach Cuonzo Martin, Kobe Brown (12.5 ppg), Kaleb Brown (0.9 ppg), and Ronnie DeGray III (8.3 ppg).

Gates has brought in several mid-major and JUCO transfers including two from his former team Cleveland State. While many fresh faces will be dawning the black and gold in Columbia next season, perhaps the most intriguing name for Gates to target has just entered the portal, Western Kentuckys Jamarion Sharp.

What makes Sharp an intriguing prospect for a big conference program like Mizzou is obvious on the surface, his size. Sharp stands 7’5, the tallest player in college basketball. Mizzou recently had a player listed at 7’2 under Martin, center Jordan Wilmore who transferred to Northwestern State.

But while Wilmore averaged just two points per game for the Tigers last season, Sharp racked up an NCAA best 4.6 blocks per game in his first season with WKU, higher than likely future top-5 pick Chet Holmgren.

Sharp has already been a transfer, joining WKU from JUCO outfit John A. Logan playing two seasons before starting his junior year with the Hilltoppers he started 28 games averaging 8.2 points, 7.6 rebounds per game to go along with his blocks.

His tape for the Hilltoppers shows a pretty simple but effective set of skills. Sharp can move up and down the court quickly for his size making him effective in transition to catch a quick lob before the defense gets set and can rim run to rack up blocks in transition. He has shown flashes of switchability on screens when defending and can leap out of the post to swat mid-range shots. He combines stellar athleticism with a lanky frame giving opposing guards a nightmare when driving to the paint.

While his shooting numbers are basically nonexistent, a dominant interior presence would be a refreshing sight for Tiger fans, who would often see Kobe Brown deployed as a small-ball five last season. Sharp would allow Brown to shift to his more natural four role, a spot in which he thrived when Mizzou boasted a squad that made the NCAA tournament in 2021.

Regardless of where Sharp lands, Tiger fans are in for an intriguing season as one of the most active teams in the transfer portal with many departures and arrivals. Sharp would complete a roster of exciting potential with a fresh coach making the jump from a mid-major job.