by Jordan Burton
Welcome home, Jared Ridder!!
BEAR NATION‼️ I’m coming home????⤴️ pic.twitter.com/wAj7gBaHqw
— Jared Ridder (@jared_ridder) September 25, 2017
After signing with perennial power Xavier, the 2017 Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year confirmed that he will transfer to Missouri State, picking the Bears over Arkansas.
“I’m super excited to get the opportunity to play in Springfield again,” said Ridder. “Can’t wait to get started.”
Ridder announced his intent to leave Xavier last week. He’ll enroll at Missouri State immediately and be eligible for the 2018-19 season.
Xavier was able to land the 4-star prospect in August of last year, beating out Power 5 programs like Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Arkansas, as well as Wichita State and Northern Iowa.
While brief, Ridder enjoyed his time at Xavier.
“Xavier was a great learning experience for me,” said Ridder. “I think everything that has happened not only helped me grow as a player but as a young man.”
What this means for Missouri State can’t be understated.
ESPN gave him four stars and listed him as the top prep in Missouri. Rivals ranked him in their coveted Top 150, making the 6-foot-7 wing the highest-rated Bears recruit since Drew Richards in 2004.
Ridder is just the latest piece of good news for Paul Lusk and staff as the Bears position themselves as the favorite in The Valley immediately and for the foreseeable future.
State Fair/Indiana transfer Grant Gelon will join Ridder and Kansas City product Ronnie Bell to form the best class in the conference at this time.
Ridder, who wears No. 34, will also have the honor of donning the same jersey that former MSU great Kyle Weems – 2011 Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year – wore during his decorated career.
Never afraid of a challenge, Ridder is looking forward to carving out his own legacy in a Bears uniform.
“I got the chance to watch Kyle play and he was a great player,” said Ridder. “As a kid I had dreams of putting on that jersey. I’m ready to get started with this new journey.”
