May 18, 2026
NCAA Basketball
Mizzou Finalizes 2026 - 27 Roster with Cord Stansberry
The Missouri Tigers men's basketball team has finalized its roster for the 2026 - 27 season with the addition of Western Carolina transfer guard Cord Stansberry. Stansberry committed to Mizzou after visiting Columbia over the weekend, becoming the sixth player to join Coach Dennis Gates' squad from the transfer portal this offseason. During his junior campaign at Western Carolina, the 6-foot-4 guard averaged 14.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, scoring 20 or more points in seven contests.
High School Reclassifications
St. John's Lands Four-Star Big Man Theo Edema
St. John's University secured a significant commitment from Theo Edema, a highly regarded four-star center from Cushing Academy in Massachusetts. Edema, originally part of the 2027 recruiting class, has decided to reclassify to the class of 2026 and will join the Red Storm for the upcoming season. The 7-foot center chose St. John's over other prominent programs, including Maryland, BYU, and Stanford.
Isaac Ellis Reclassifies to Join Louisville Early
Isaac Ellis, a standout point guard from Moravian Prep in Hickory, North Carolina, has officially reclassified from the class of 2027 back to the class of 2026, allowing him to join the Louisville Cardinals this summer. Ellis, who committed to Louisville in December, had a record-breaking season in the Overtime Elite (OTE) league playing for the YNG Dreamerz. He was named the OTE Most Valuable Player after averaging 29.3 points, 8.9 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game, and he set a league single-game scoring record with 56 points.
Five-Star Recruit Ryan Hampton Considers Reclassification
Ryan Hampton, a consensus five-star small forward from DME Academy, is reportedly considering reclassifying from the 2027 class to the 2026 class. Hampton recently received a scholarship offer from the Kentucky Wildcats after hosting their coaching staff for an in-home visit. Ranked among the top players in his class, Hampton's potential reclassification and recruitment are generating significant buzz, with Kentucky emerging as a strong contender for his commitment.
Sources: - Stava, S. (2026, May 18). Western Carolina transfer Cord Stansberry commits to Mizzou basketball. Rock M Nation. https://www.rockmnation.com/missouri-tigers-basketball/146953/western-carolina-transfer-cord-stansberry-commits-to-mizzou-basketball
Jones, N. (2026, May 17). Dennis Gates makes final addition to 2026-27 roster. ABC17NEWS. https://abc17news.com/sports/mizzou-tigers/mizzou-mens-basketball/2026/05/17/dennis-gates-makes-final-addition-to-2026-27-roster/
Ballard, D. (2026, May 17). Mo Williams says Kentucky is "absolutely" loaded, but he wants to add more. A Sea Of Blue. https://www.aseaofblue.com/kentucky-wildcats-basketball/172371/mo-williams-absolutely-loaded-wants-to-add-more
McGavic, M. (2026, May 13). Louisville men's basketball 2026-27 roster outlook 4.0 Sports Illustrated. https://www.si.com/college/louisville/basketball/mbb-roster-outlook-2026-27-40
Fanstake. (2026). Isaac Ellis | Louisville Cardinals. https://fanstake.com/athletes/49330/s/isaac-ellis
247Sports. (2026, May 17). Day two EYBL Memphis recruiting intel: Ryan Hampton, Paul Osaruyi and more. https://247sports.com/college/kansas/article/day-two-eybl-memphis-recruiting-intel-ryan-hampton-paul-osaruyi-and-more-285620136/