The forward addressed rumors of an early exit.
AUSTIN, Tex.— Scouts from the San Antonio Spurs were in attendance when Missouri played Texas on Saturday, and rumors have long been circulating that Tiger sophomore Linas Kleiza might be contemplating making the jump to the NBA after this season.
According to Kleiza, nothing could be further from the truth.
In a discussion with reporters after the game, Kleiza addressed the issue of his possible departure for the first time. When asked whether he would be suiting up as a Tiger next year, Kleiza said he not only planned to return next season but also the following year.
Kleiza struggled Saturday, scoring 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting in 35 minutes, but he has been the anchor of the Tigers this year. He’s started 23 games for Missouri this season, averaging 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds
Homeward Bound: Missouri freshman Marshall Brown grew up only a few miles from the Erwin Center. Saturday’s game was Brown’s first in his hometown since coming to Missouri, but he didn’t exactly play like he felt at home.
“I would say I wasn’t nervous, but that would just be lying.” Brown said. “With your family there, friends there, in your hometown, it can feel like a lot of pressure.”
Brown’s mother, Theresa Ammons, and his grandparents were sitting behind the Tiger bench offering encouragement. But despite his family’s support, Brown faltered under the pressure of his homecoming.
He got into foul trouble early and played just four minutes in the first half.
Brown had 5 points in 16 minutes in the second half, including a 3-pointer with 7:34 left that cut the Texas lead to seven points. But it wasn’t enough as Texas defeated Missouri 63-51.
Winning or losing didn’t matter so much to Ammons, who was just excited to see her 6-foot-7 ‘little boy.’
After the game, Ammons could hardly wait until Brown stepped out of the Missouri locker room to give her son a hug.
“You played great, baby,” Ammons said, throwing her arms around Brown.
“I wish we would have got the win,” Brown said, as he walked out of the tunnel to meet his grandparents. “But it is nice to be back home anyway.”
Center Stage: The Texas dance team was at center court, but it was Martene Jones who was getting all the attention. The Texas dancers were entertaining the crowd during a second-half timeout when Jones stole the show.
Clad in an orange jumpsuit and holding homemade pompoms, the 225-pound Jones climbed to the front of the Texas student section and danced along. He mimicked the dance team’s choreography exactly.
“I’ve seen it before enough times,” Jones said. “So I figured I would just do it with them this time.”
Jones’s performance earned a standing ovation from the student section.