Mario McKinney commits to Mizzou

 Vashon High basketball standout Mario McKinney has given a verbal commitment to the University of Missouri.

 The 6'2" McKinney made his official announcement on Twitter with a well-produced commitment video that was released on Monday evening. He chose Mizzou over a final list of schools that included Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Louisville, Auburn, Kansas State and VCU.

 Rated as a four-star prospect, McKinney enters the season as the No. 2 player in the Prep Hoops Missouri Class of 2019 rankings. He is an explosive combo guard who can attack the basket, make 3-pointers and excite the crowd with his all-around athleticism.

 In this first two years at Vashon, McKinney was a major catalyst off the bench as the Wolverines won back-to-back Class 4 state championships in 2016 and 2017. As a junior, he assumed the role as the featured player, and he averaged 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in leading Vashon to a 20-6 record and a district championship. Vashon will be one of the top teams in the state once again with McKinney leading the way in 2019.

 During the summer, McKinney made his mark nationally while playing for the Brad Beal Elite 17U in the Nike EYBL. He enjoyed a breakout weekend at the Nike Peach Jam in July, where he averaged 17 points and seven rebounds a game. He was named to the Peach Jam's All-Breakthrough Performers Team.

 Mario McKinney will become the second member of the McKinney family from Vashon to don a Mizzou basketball uniform. His older cousin, Jimmy McKinney, was a former star player at Vashon who went on to enjoy a standout career at Mizzou from 2003-06.