Basketball Bears gain juco guard, lose Thurman

As one player unveiled his decision to become a Missouri State basketball player, another revealed on Monday that he was leaving the program.

Gavin Thurman, who played in 86 games in his career and averaged 6.2 points, posted on Twitter that he intended to transfer.

"For those fans and people who have been curious, I am not return to MSU for my senior season," Thurman - at @GavinThurman - tweeted.

"I want to thank the fans for welcoming me from day one, my teammates and former teammates. ... I want to thank the whole university and basketball program. I appreciate you all."

Meanwhile, earlier in the day Kevin Baker, a 6-2 sophomore at Pensacola State College in Florida, committed to the Bears and plans to sign on April 15 when the NCAA letter of intent period begins.

Dequon Miller, a 5-10 guard from Motlow State in Tennessee, gave his verbal commitment to Missouri State last week.

Thurman's announcement did not come as a major surprise as he had indicated a desire to be closer to his Wichita, Kansas, home.

With the commitments of Baker and Miller, along with Thurman's departure, the Bears still have one remaining scholarship to give this spring.

Baker went to Pensacola after leading St. Louis Madison Prep to the Missouri Class 3 state title as a senior in 2013. He averaged 10.8 points, 2.6 assists and 2.4 turnovers in helping Pensacola to an 18-12 record this season.

"He is a very good ball handler, a very good shooter and a good defender," said Pensacola coach Pete Pena. "He's a very smart basketball player who had two outstanding years for us. He basically was the head of the snake for us."

Pena said Baker selected Missouri State over Southern Illinois, Austin Peay, Kennesaw State, Loyola Marymount and Lafayette. Two Pensacola teammates also are going Division I — center Rozelle Nix to Pittsburgh and forward Shamar Johnson to Loyola Marymount.

"He's an outstanding young man," Pena added about Baker. "He's going to come to work every day. It's a great choice for Kevin and a good day for Missouri State.".

Baker and Miller would provide Missouri State coach Paul Lusk with additional back court depth in the wake of leading scorer Marcus Marshall's departure from the program in January. Returning starters Dorrian Williams and Austin Ruder, along with Shawn Roundtree are scheduled to return at the guard positions.

The departure of Thurman would seemingly indicate that the Bears would seek a forward for the open scholarship.

Meanwhile, all four incoming freshmen from the 2012-13 recruiting class — Thurman, Marcus Marshall, Bruce Marshall and Michael Simpson — have left the program.