SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State men's basketball coach Dana Ford announced Friday three newcomers in the early National Letter of Intent signing period for next year. .
 
The Bears' commitments are:

• NJ Benson (F, 6-8, 225, Mt. Vernon, Ill., Mt. Vernon Township High)
• Jonathan Dunn (F, 6-7, 190, Rogersville, Mo., Logan-Rogersville High, We Are United Prep)
• Jalen Hampton (F, 6-7, 190, St. Louis, Mo., University City High, Link Year Prep)

 
Benson averaged 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists as a junior in 2020-21 at Mt. Vernon (Ill.) Township High last winter while earning all-conference honors for the second straight season for the Rams. The Chicago Sun Times' Ben Henricksen ranked Benson as the No. 7 prospect in Illinois, attributing his rising stock to "his physical attributes, athleticism and motor." Benson had offers from Murray State, Loyola, Bradley, Southern Illinois, Illinois State, SIUE and others.
 
Dunn is a former Logan-Rogersville High School standout who averaged 23 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 62.6 percent from the field in 2020-21. He was named the Big 8 East Player of the Year and was selected to the News-Leader Dominant Dozen team. Prior to his time at Rogersville, he was one of the top prospects in St. Louis at Hazelwood Central High.  He played for the Yanders Law AAU program and is spending a prep year at We Are United Prep in Nixa. He had offers from Texas Tech, Murray State, Missouri, SEMO and others.
 
Hampton is a St. Louis product who was a Class 5 all-state performer at University City High in 2020-21. He averaged 19.0 points, 6.9 rebounds 1.4 assists and nearly a block per game for a 16-4 squad at UCity. He is currently spending a prep school season at Branson-based Link Year Prep. He held offers from Bryant and SIUE while garnering a 3-star rating from 247Sports.com.
 
The early signing period for Division I basketball ends on Nov. 17, while the regular signing period begins on April 13.
 
The Bears wrap up a two-game home stand to start the 2021-22 season on Saturday when they host Alabama State at 7 p.m. at JQH Arena. Tickets are on sale now at MissouriStateBears.com or by visiting the Old Missouri Bank Box Office at JQH Arena, (417) 836-7678, during regular box office hours.