The 1999-2000 Mizzou basketball team was a rather unassuming bunch. Quin Snyder’s first Tiger squad went 18-13, reaching the NCAA Tournament but bowing out in the first round against North Carolina.

They got solid, young guard play from Keyon Dooling, Clarence Gilbert, Brian Grawer, and blue-chip freshman Kareem Rush, but they just didn’t have much size. Six-foot-9 JUCO transfer T.J. Soyoye played center by default, and 6’5 Jeff Hafer and 6’6 Johnnie Parker ended up playing quite a bit of PF by necessity.

If you remember anything about that team, it’s probably the backcourt. Dooling, Gilbert, Grawer, and Rush had some stellar moments, perhaps mostly in this wild win over Kansas.

Good times.

As it turns out, however, the most noteworthy people on and around that team were ... pretty much everybody else.

The 1999-2000 Missouri Tigers basketball staff featured new Suns coach Igor Kokoskov, Orlando Magic GM John Hammond and of course Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder. And a fellow named Tony Harvey. — Benjamin Hochman (@hochman) May 3, 2018

Oh. And the 99-00 Mizzou Tigers had current Nuggets president Josh Kroenke. — Benjamin Hochman (@hochman) May 3, 2018

and former NFL receiver Justin Gage. — Benjamin Hochman (@hochman) May 3, 2018

On Wednesday, the Suns announced that they are hiring Igor Kokoskov as their new head coach.

Kosokov has a great coaching track record. Outside of leading Slovenia to a EuroBasket championship, he has plenty of notable names in his resume. Outside of the Seven Seconds or Less Suns with Mike D’Antoni, Kokoskov has worked with Mike Brown (Pistons), Flip Saunders (Pistons), Alvin Gentry (Clippers + Suns), Mike Brown (Cavaliers), and most recently Quinn Snyder (Jazz). This was a quick decision as Gambadoro also reported Phoenix was “blown away” and made their decision immediately after speaking with him in-person. No other candidates received second interviews.

(Kudos for the very Mizzou typo in Snyder’s first name.)

So between Snyder, Kokoskov, Hammond, and Josh Kroenke, four very important NBA personalities — plus a 200-reception NFL receiver in Gage, a future doctor in Soyoye and, of course, two future NBA players in Dooling and Rush (who scored a combined 7,280 points) — were all members of that 1999-00 team. We thought at the time that we were witnessing the beginning of some impressive careers, and evidently we were. But it took some crazy twists and turns to get there.

By the way, Kokoskov’s story is pretty incredible. From the original MUtigers.com release announcing his hire:

Igor Kokoskov, a former basketball player on the Yugoslavian National Team, and current assistant coach for Yugoslavia’s Junior National Team, will be the newest member of the Missouri men’s basketball coaching staff. Kokoskov, who is currently an assistant for Belgrade Partizan, will join the staff upon completion of his coaching duties at the European Championships, as announced today by Missouri Head Coach Quin Snyder. [...] Kokoskov spent much of last year at Duke University observing the men’s basketball team, where he first formed his relationship with Snyder. Snyder was immediately impressed with Kokoskov’s knowledge of the game. “He’s a great teacher and has a depth of understanding of the basketball fundamentals, something I know is a trademark of international basketball,” Snyder said. Kokoskov is looking forward to joining the team. “I am honored by the confidence Quin Snyder has shown in me as a coach,” he said. “I promise to justify that trust with my professionalism, conduct and enthusiasm. I am thrilled with the opportunity to coach at the collegiate level and am excited to come to Missouri,” Kokoskov said. Excited about the diversity of his staff, Snyder believes Kokoskov’s addition reflects the strength of international basketball. “We’re trying to formulate a staff that can serve our players both on and off the floor. I’m looking for talented coaches that bring unique gifts to Missouri, and I believe Igor has much to offer our group.”

Kokoskov came to the states as a 26-year old European assistant, observed Duke for a while, and met the guy who would help him become an NBA head coach 19 years later. It’s all about networking, kids.

Yesterday at Rock M

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Well would you look at that ... freshman enrollment is on a pretty significant upswing again.

Mizzou Softball interim coach Gina Fogue says weather played a role in the decision to cancel two Wichita State games and replace them with two against a weaker UAPB. I mean, sure, maybe. Either way, the Tigers got the wins they needed, and now they’re guaranteed to be over .500 (and therefore NCAA Tournament-eligible) no matter what happens this weekend against No. 4 Florida. They might need to win at least one of three to end up safe in the hunt for an SEC Tournament bid.

Weather might have a role in when games are played, but Mizzou Baseball’s three-game series against No. 20 Georgia is scheduled to begin tonight.

Today’s (well, yesterday’s) view of the stadium construction:

Mizzou Women’s Hoops officially announced the signing of top-70 guard Akira Levy. That’s a nice piece to add this late in the process.

✍ Welcome to the #Mizzou Basketball Family, @akira_levy2!



Akira is the No. 66 recruit in the nation, a two-time Tennessee Class AA Miss Basketball and a two-time state champion.



https://t.co/KUepPE2vS3#MIZ #OurTownOurTeam pic.twitter.com/trf2exw8Vk — Mizzou Basketball (@MizzouWBB) May 2, 2018

Mizzou Men’s Golf is dancing, just like the women. The Tigers will tee off in Stillwater on May 14.