Nov. 14, 2014

SPRINGFIELD - Missouri State head coach Paul Lusk has added a quartet of high school senior standouts to his fifth recruiting class with the Bears as the early National Letter of Intent signing period began this week.

Three future Bears - Jarred Dixon (G, Greenwood, Mo.), Obediah Church (F, Springfield, Ill.) and Zach Cameron-Chodes (C, Springfield, Mo.) - signed National Letters of Intent this week, while one additional player, Ryan Kreklow (G, Columbia, Mo.), will join the program upon his arrival on the Springfield campus this fall.

"As a staff, we're really excited about this class," said Lusk, currently in his fourth season as head coach of the Bears. "All of these guys have a chance to be good contributors for our program and fit the needs we have for our future."

The additions to the 2015-16 roster are as follows:

Jarred Dixon (6-3, 170, G, Greenwood, Mo., Lee's Summit West High)

Last season, Dixon averaged 14.6 points and 5.2 rebounds for a Lee's Summit West squad that finished third in the Missouri Class 5 state tournament. He helped coach Michael Schieber's squad to a 27-4 campaign last season and also played with fellow MSU commit Ryan Kreklow on the Kansas City Run GMC AAU squad.

"I've known his family a long time, and he's a quality player," Lusk said. "I would describe him as a combo guard who can score at mid-range and get to the basket. He also has the potential to be a good defender."

Ryan Kreklow (6-3, 185, G, Columbia, Mo., Rock Bridge High)

Kreklow posted 18.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.4 steals per game as a junior in 2013-14 at Columbia's Rock Bridge High School. He was named to the Columbia Tribune all-area team and was a first-team all-district pick for the Bruins. He also helped lead Coach Jim Scanlon's squad to a 21-4 campaign last season and played with fellow MSU commit Jarred Dixon on the Kansas City Run GMC AAU squad.

"He's a shot maker who is very competitive on the court," said Lusk. "He and Jarred both come from a well-run AAU program and a culture of winning, which is really exciting. He has good basketball skills and comes from a basketball family."

Obediah Church (6-8, 200, F, Springfield, Ill., Springfield High)

Church averaged 13.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game his junior year at Springfield (Ill.) High School while earning IBCA honorable mention all-state honors. He also shot 55 percent from the field and snagged All-Central State Eight Conference first-team distinction. He played on the AAU circuit with the Illinois Irish.

"He has a high motor and is a high-level athlete," Lusk said. "He continues to show glimpses of great promise and potential which is very exciting. He has good size and wing span, protects the rim and has the chance to be a great player for us."

Zach Cameron-Chodes (6-9, 205, C, Springfield, Mo., Parkview High)

During his junior season, Cameron-Chodes averaged 11.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game for coach Bill Brown's Vikings at Springfield's Parkview High School, which was 14-12 last season. He also plays for the Yanders Law AAU squad.

"He plays above the rim and is a very aggressive player," Lusk explained. "He has great length and protects the rim. We really like his upside, and his willingness to work and compete will pay huge dividends for us in the future."

#MSUBears