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Auburn offers, pushing hard for Missouri transfer guard

Xavier Pinson is searching for a place to finish his college career and Auburn is an option.

Especially after Wednesday.

Pinson, who on Tuesday announced his intentions to transfer from Missouri, had a Zoom call a day later with Auburn coach Bruce Pearl.

“It went really good,” Pinson said of his conversation with Pearl. “I had a nice talk with him. He broke down everything about Auburn basketball, the coaches and everything. He basically got me up to date with who he is, the kind of guy he is and the kind of guys his coaches are.”

Missouri transfer guard Xavier Pinson is a high priority for Auburn.
Missouri transfer guard Xavier Pinson is a high priority for Auburn. (Mizzou Athletics)
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Pinson’s knowledge of Pearl is limited to what the point guard has seen from the coach on the opposing sideline. Conversations this week, however, have begun to change that.

“I can’t say much about him as a coach because I haven’t been around him, but I’ve heard really good things,” Pinson said. “And from what I have seen of him on the sideline, I love it. I love his energy and passion. I did get a better feel for him as a person from our conversations (Tuesday and Wednesday). He seems like a really good guy. He’s honest. He’s very energetic. He’s just a good person.”

Pinson now has the opportunity to play for Pearl. Auburn on Wednesday officially offered a scholarship to the former Mizzou standout.

“It felt good to get an offer from Auburn,” Pinson said. “We’ve been playing against them for three years, so I know a lot about them and they know a lot about me. It feels great to have an offer from them, especially seeing the success they’ve had over the past few years winning and sending guys to the (NBA) draft. That’s very impressive to me.”

Impressive enough to pique Pinson’s interest. Auburn, he said, appears to be a good fit.

“For the most part, their backcourt is pretty much open,” Pinson said. “And I like how they play. I really like everything about them. I know how Auburn plays. I know their culture. I know how their fans are and how they expect the team to play, and I am willing to do whatever I can to work on my game and add to it if Auburn were to be my choice.”

Auburn on Wednesday extended a scholarship offer to Pinson.
Auburn on Wednesday extended a scholarship offer to Pinson. (Mizzou Athletics)

Pinson already has several options. He’s been contacted by many schools, many Power-5 schools, and plans to vet each one.

Pinson is, however, keeping his recruitment under control.

“A lot of schools are calling, but I am trying to keep the number of schools manageable,” Pinson said. “I’ve only really talked to Auburn, Georgia and Nebraska. Those are the schools that have been recruiting me heavy and the ones I’ve been talking to the most.”

Pinson doesn’t plan to make a hasty decision. He’s not in a rush to make a choice.

I really don’t have a timeline right now,” Pinson said. “I’m really just trying to use as much time, soak in as much as I can, so that I really know that the school I choose is the best school for me.

“I’m just being patient with it and looking to find the school that is the best fit for me and the school that I’m the best fit for.”

As a junior in 2020-21, Pinson, who could play the point or the 2-guard, averaged 14.1 points, 2.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game. He also had 27 steals and shot 84% from the free throw line.

Pinson, listed at 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, plans to enroll at the college of his choice in the summer. He will have two years of eligibility.

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