Smith joining MU as transfer from Illinois

The Missouri men's basketball team received commitment Saturday night from a non-conference rival.

Mark Smith, a 6-foot-4 guard from Edwardsville, Ill., announced on Twitter he will commit to Missouri. As a transfer from Illinois, Smith will have to sit out the 2018-19 season at Missouri. He will have three years of eligibility left beginning in the 2019-20 season.

In his freshman season at Illinois, Smith played in 31 games, making 19 starts. He averaged 5.8 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

Smith was in Columbia this weekend on visit after he announced last month he was transferring from Illinois.

Missouri recruited Smith in high school, when he was named the Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year his senior season, but the Tigers were able to snag the four-star recruit this time around.

Smith announced his commitment shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday on Twitter.