Quin: Kleizas A Great Recruit

Since Quin Snyder landed the head coaching position at Missouri, the Tigers have achieved success by developing some recruits into outstanding offensive players. Snyder has the same idea in store for his latest recruit, Linas Kleiza.

Snyder looks at Kleiza as being a "McDonald's All American type." Kleiza, 6-foot-8, 245-pounds, played the past two years at Montrose Christian Academy in the Washington, DC suburbs. He chose Missouri over Florida State and North Carolina. Connecticut, NC State, Virginia and St. John's also were also considered at one time during his recruiting process. "He's going to be a great college player," Snyder said. "He can be a power player and also play on the perimeter."

Montrose Christian, coached by famed prep coach Stu Vetter, was the Washington Post's number one team and USA Today's number 9 prep program this season with a 20-1 record. Kleiza was the paper's Player of the Year after averaging 20.5 points and 12.2 rebounds.

"We do a good job in developing players like Linas," Snyder said. "We have always done that here at Missouri. So Linas will do well for us. Once he makes progress in his skills, he is going to be more effective along the perimeter. This is what will make him a unique player."

Snyder added: "I like his toughness. I like his versatility. He is going to be able to do so many things for us on the offensive side. He will get better here too."