Missouri head coach Dennis Gates holds up his phone during Missouri’s NCAA Selection Show watch party on March 12, 2023, at Mizzou Arena.
Dennis Gates is hard at work on the weekend, and that work brought in Missouri basketball’s fifth transfer this offseason.
That transfer finally fills the need for a post-player.
Campbell transfer 6-foot-8 forward Jesus Carralero committed to Missouri Sunday afternoon according to 247Sports. He averaged 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists for the Fighting Camels during the 2022-2023 season, but only played in five games due to a wrist injury.
As a full-time starter in the 2021-2022 season, Carralero finished in the top 10 in Big South Conference in four categories: rebounds, steals, assists and blocks.
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Carralero attended Link Year Academy in Branson, Mo., and played for the Lions’ in the 2018-2019 season. He’s a native of Málaga, Spain.
Carralero is the fifth transfer MU has taken on this offseason.
Colorado State transfer John Tonje was the first transfer to commit in the offseason. Iowa State transfer Caleb Grill and Indiana transfer Tamar Bates followed in April. John A. Lewis combo guard Curt Lewis committed to MU during the season.
Each filled different roles Missouri had open after D’Moi Hodge, Tre Gomillion and DeAndre Gholston, all starters who elevated Missouri with their specific play styles.
Gates has remade Missouri’s starting five this offseason. What that five will be next season remains to be seen, especially after the likes of Mohamed Diarra, Ronnie DeGray and Kaleb Brown entered the transfer portal this offseason.
Campbell Fighting Camels forward Jesus Carralero (12) runs with the ball while guard Jack Clark (5) guards him during the second half against North Carolina State Wolfpack at PNC Arena.
What Carralero’s commitment means for Mizzou basketball
Carralero’s arrival means that Missouri’s frontcourt gets deeper, which was a much-needed development after Diarra and DeGray transferred out of MU and Kobe Brown’s NBA Draft decision still lingers.
Carralero’s season at Campbell last year might have been cut short due to injury, but he was impressive in the five games he did play.
Story continues
In five games, Carralero made at least one 3-pointer, scored in double figures in three of those five games and had his best game against NC State. showing he can compete with Power 5 competition.
In Campbell’s 73-67 loss to the Wolfpack, Carralero scored 13 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished five assists in 31 minutes of play.
Carralero also made 6 3-points on 11 attempts in five games and was on pace to make 37 3-pointers with an average of about three 3-point attempts per game. With the liberty Gates allows in his offense for bigs to shoot from the perimeter, that seems like a reason Gates would pursue Carralero.
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Carralero’s presence also adds a new dynamic to MU’s roster. Tonje is a guard who brings rebounding in the mid-range or perimeter, Lewis is a 3-point sniper, Bates is a multi-level scorer and Grill can shoot from anywhere on the court. Campbell’s ability to work in the post compliments those abilities, along with what the returning players like Nick Honor, Aidan Shaw, Noah Carter and Sean East bring.
Whether Carralero figures into MU’s starting five remains to be seen, but he offers Missouri a post player that can shoot from the perimeter, stretch the floor and pass well. Even in a role off the bench, that can be a boon for Gates and his staff.
Now, the staff has three more pieces off the offseason to tie up: Brown’s decision on his NBA future, Florida State transfer Matthew Cleveland’s decision (Cleveland is down to Missouri, Auburn and Miami) and Isiaih Mosley’s status with the team, too.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: What Jesus Carralero’s commitment means for Mizzou basketball
