Missouri transfer signs with Redhawks

~ basketball coach Dickey Nutt capitalizes on his second chance to get Tyler Stone

Southeast Missouri State men's basketball coach Dickey Nutt tried hard to sign Tyler Stone last year when Stone was in high school.

Nutt thought he had a shot at getting one of the recruits he targeted shortly after being hired at Southeast, but Stone instead accepted a scholarship from the University of Missouri, which got into the recruiting process late.

Now, about one year later, Nutt finally was able to land Stone. He signed with Southeast on Monday following a freshman season that saw him receive limited playing time at MU.

Stone, a 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward, will have to sit out the 2010-11 season under NCAA transfer rules, although he will be able to practice with the Redhawks. He will then have three years of eligibility remaining beginning with the 2011-12 campaign.

"I am really excited about bringing Tyler into our program," Nutt said. "He was one of the guys I zeroed in on out of high school last year. We felt we were doing good. We felt like we developed a good relationship. At the last hour we got beat out, but we felt we were at least one of his choices."

Stone played in 12 games for MU, averaging 3.6 minutes per contest. He averaged 1.8 points and 0.8 rebounds while shooting 64.7 percent from the field (11 of 17).

Stone twice earned All-Metro honors at Central High School in Memphis, the same program that produced former Tennessee-Martin standout and NBA draft pick Lester Hudson. Stone averaged 15 points and eight rebounds as a senior.

"To sign with Missouri, that tells you a little about his ability. He's a big, strong, athletic young man. I think he gives us that size and athletic ability we're looking for," Nutt said. "Frontline guys who are 6-7, 6-8, about 230 pounds, and very athletic, those guys are hard to get.

"Being at Missouri, he'll bring that Big 12 Conference experience to us."

Nutt said Southeast assistant coach Jamie Rosser, a Memphis native, played a major role in landing Stone.

"Coach Rosser has strong ties to that area," Nutt said. "He did an excellent job throughout the recruiting process."

Stone's father, James Bradley, played at the University of Memphis and was a second round draft pick of the Atlanta Hawks in 1979.

When Stone signed with MU last year, his high school coach Andre Applewhite told the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper: "They're getting a steal. He's a good one. He's what they call a sleeper."

Nutt agrees, believing by far the best basketball still lies ahead for a young man who is only 18.

"I think he has a very good upside. His future is ahead of him," Nutt said. "He can come in and be the best practice player he can be [next season], then have three years to play."

Although Nutt cannot comment on recruits until they sign, Southeast is reportedly in the running for 6-9 forward Aloysius Henry from Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff.

Henry also has received recruiting interest from some major-conference programs.