Gant commits
to Missouri
Effingham County High School senior Jakeenan Gant, one of the most highly recruited basketball players in the South, said Sunday he has made an oral commitment to the University of Missouri.
The 6-foot-8, 200-pound forward was reached by telephone while returning from the Columbia campus, where he made an official visit. He said it was his first, and he did not have plans for others.
“It felt like home; I fit in nice,” said Gant, adding that he likes Tigers head coach Frank Haith and the assistant coaches as well as the team’s style of play and the potential for playing time.
Gant was the Class AAAAA player of the year by the Georgia Sportswriters Association and was the Region 3-AAAAA Player of the Year after averaging 17.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.2 blocks. A Savannah Morning News All-Greater Savannah first-team selection, Gant helped lead the Rebels to the Final Four.
While he has no ties to Missouri, Gant said he is “trying to get two people to come with me”: Ahmed Hill, a 6-4 guard from Augusta and teammate on his Southern Stampede AAU team; and Devin Booker, a guard from Moss Point, Miss.
Gant, nationally ranked by recruiting services, reportedly has offers from Georgia, Florida and Indiana.
Team Savannah
shines at Pan Am
Team Savannah members had some impressive performances competing for Team USA in the 15-and-under Pan American Weightlifting Championships this weekend in Shreveport, La.
Competing in the 138-pound weight class, C.J. Cummings won three gold medals and broke three Pan-Am records. He lifted 231 pounds in the snatch and lifted 288 pounds in the clean and jerk as he took first in the snatch, clean and jerk and overall events Saturday.
Competing at 149 pounds, William Cohen set five American records. He lifted 192 pounds in the snatch and lifted 231 pounds in the clean and jerk. Cohen won a silver medal in the snatch and bronze overall Saturday.