Missouri State men's basketball, Cuonzo Martin add Makhai Valentine from Link Year Prep

Wyatt D. Wheeler, Springfield News-Leader

Makhai Valentine, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard from Pennsylvania coming off a prep season at Branson's Link Year Prep, committed to Missouri State men's basketball.

Valentine announced his commitment to head coach Cuonzo Martin and the Bears on Instagram on Friday.

Valentine's addition appears to give Missouri State its 13th, and final, scholarship player for the upcoming season. Additional players can sign in the coming weeks, but the Bears must be down to 13 scholarship players once the fall semester begins.

During his senior year at Steel Valley (Pennsylvania), Valentine averaged 36.2 points per game. He was named the Pittsburgh Union Progress Player of the Year and dubbed "Sky High Makhai" for his "unlimited range and an undeniable flair for the dramatic."

More: Missouri State baseball's Keith Guttin retires after 42 years: 'I enjoyed every second'

Valentine held offers from Kent State, Long Island, Northern Illinois, Robert Morris, Sam Houston, South Alabama, Toledo and others before playing a year of prep ball. Reporting on interest during his post-grad year is scarce although he visited West Virginia in September and Fairfield in recent weeks.

He continued to put up big numbers at Link Year Prep, averaging 16 points per game at one point late in the season.

Valentine is the third true freshman Martin has received a commitment from this offseason. He will have two playing their final years of eligibility, five juniors, three sophomores and a freshman walk-on.

More: Missouri State move to Conference USA won't be cheap. Here are ways expenses will increase

Missouri State 2024-25 men's basketball roster

  • Wesley Oba, Delaware State transfer, 5th year

  • Allen Udemadu, Morgan State transfer, senior

  • Vincent Brady II, IUPUI transfer, junior

  • Sam Murray II, Murray State transfer, junior

  • Mozae Downing-Rivers, Barton Community College transfer, junior

  • Michael Osei-Bonsu, Vincennes transfer, junior

  • Jalen Hampton, South Plains transfer, junior

  • Dez White, Austin Peay transfer, sophomore

  • Nick Kramer, sophomore

  • Tommy Pinegar, sophomore

  • Zaxton King, Lawrence (Kansas) High, freshman

  • Jurrell Baldwin, Hyde Park (Chicago), freshman

  • Makhai Valentine, Link Year Prep, freshman

  • C.J. Gaines, Calvary Day (Georgia), freshman walk-on

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Makhai Valentine commits to Missouri State basketball, Cuonzo Martin

Advertisement