Missouri Tigers Eye Former G-League Star Kyree Walker in Unprecedented Recruitment Move

The Missouri Tigers basketball program is exploring a unique roster addition. They are showing interest in former G-League guard Kyree Walker. This news broke in late December 2025, according to a report from The Basketball Tribune. Walker is currently playing professionally in Mongolia.

His potential move represents a growing trend in college basketball. Former professional players are now exploring eligibility to join NCAA teams. This could provide an immediate impact for programs seeking a mid-season boost.

Walker’s Journey From High School Hype to Mongolian Pro League

Kyree Walker was a highly-touted three-star recruit in 2020. He surprisingly held no college offers back then. Instead, he made the direct leap to the professional G League.

He failed to secure a permanent NBA roster spot. His career path then led him overseas. Walker now plays for the Nalaikh Bison in Mongolia’s top league.

The reported interest from Missouri is part of a wider search. Walker is also hearing from Tennessee, Texas Tech, Ole Miss, and Louisville. He intends to enroll for the second semester and play immediately.

This follows a similar move by guard T.J. Clark. Clark left the G-League’s Texas Legends to commit to Ole Miss. Walker’s situation is seen as the next test case for this new pathway.

What Walker’s Potential Addition Means for Mizzou and College Basketball

The Tigers have an open scholarship spot available. Adding a player with professional experience could address specific needs. It would provide mature backcourt depth for the SEC schedule.

For college basketball, this trend blurs traditional lines. It challenges the conventional pipeline from high school to college to pros. Roster construction for coaches becomes more complex and opportunistic.

The immediate eligibility aspect is crucial. A player like Walker could join a team at the semester break. He would be available for the most critical conference games and postseason play.

This recruitment of Kyree Walker highlights the evolving, unpredictable nature of college sports. Missouri’s exploration signals a willingness to adapt. The outcome could influence how programs approach roster building for years to come.

Info at your fingertips

Who is Kyree Walker?

Kyree Walker was a notable three-star high school recruit in 2020. He skipped college to play in the NBA G League. He now plays professionally in Mongolia for the Nalaikh Bison.

Why is his potential move to Missouri unusual?

It is unusual because he is a professional player seeking to return to the amateur college level. This direct path from a pro league to the NCAA is a very recent and rare development in the sport.

When could Kyree Walker play for Missouri?

Reports indicate he aims to enroll for the second semester. If he joins, he would be eligible to play for the Tigers during the second half of the current season.

Which other schools are interested in Walker?

Besides Missouri, interest has been reported from several major programs. These include Tennessee, Texas Tech, Ole Miss, and Louisville.

What was Kyree Walker’s recruiting rank?

He was rated as a three-star prospect in the class of 2020. According to 247Sports, he did not receive any formal college scholarship offers coming out of high school.