If you’ve heard the rumor, now it’s official: Christian Kirk is transferring to Kickapoo.
The 6-foot-7 senior forward is playing in the Adidas Invitational, a huge AAU Tournament in Indianapolis and TAGsgf.com friend and current Indianapolis Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep confirmed what many locally have rumored — that Kirk plans to transfer from St. Charles West to Kickapoo for his senior year. In fact, he’s already moved here to SGF.
“I actually moved back down because of some family health issues I needed to take care of,” Kirk said. “My dad was kind of sick so I’m back down in Springfield helping him out. I know everyone there (at Kickapoo) since I went to elementary and middle school with them so I have a pretty good relationship with all of them. I’ve played in a couple team camps with them, one at Missouri State and another in Kansas City. We should have a pretty good team; we look pretty good.”
To sweeten the deal, the hometown Missouri State Bears will now get a full time look at Kirk. The Bears have offered a scholarship to Kirk, as have Southern Illinois, Saint Louis and Murray State. According to Neddenriep’s Twitter account, he visited Butler in May and is still hearing from the Bulldog coaches.
Kirk attended Kickapoo as a freshman, but transferred to St. Charles West for his sophomore and junior years. According to MSHAA spokesman Jason West, Kirk will have to satisfy terms of MSHSAA’s transfer policy to gain his eligibility. In my opinion, his circumstances look to be satisfactory.
Kirk averaged 17.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game while shooting 58.5 percent from the field as a junior. He’s the younger brother of Kyle Kirk, who was recruited to Missouri State out of Kickapoo by Barry Hinson in 2005 and Hannah Kirk, who played for the Lady Bears in the mid-2000s.
“I definitely like Springfield as a city. That gives them an advantage over the Valley schools,” Kirk said. “I’ve lived there some of my life and really like the coaching staff. And my brother and sister both went there.”
Neddenriep also said MSU coach Cuonzo Martin was in Indianapolis with a seat below one of the baskets at the Adidas Invitational. Kirk said he noticed.
“I try to look in the crowd before the game and seek out some familiar faces,” Christian Kirk said.
Looking forward, Kirk will join an already experienced Kickapoo roster that features Pump ‘N Run teammate Brodie Wingert, as well as fellow senior starters Cody Anderson, Tyler Hall and Chris Underwood.
Neddenriep, the former Lady Bears beat writer at the News-Leader, has done a ton of good work out in Indy, including his basketball and football recruiting coverage. We thank him for his help. To follow him on Twitter, visit Twitter.com/star_recruits.
Follow Us!