It hasn't been the smoothest journey to becoming a Missouri Tiger, but so far its worked out for Jefferson City senior Micah Linthacum.
The 6-foot-4 post player signed her National Letter of Intent on Wednesday to follow the footsteps of her great grandfather, granfather and father to the University of Missouri.
"I'm excited to be a part of that tradition," Linthacum said.
Linthacum has been on and off the court the past two years at Jefferson City, battling through injuries.
"Unfortunately Micah has had kind of a rough sophomore and junior year," Lady Jays coach Brad Conway said, "but she was always at the games encouraging her teammates and she was at practices. It's nice to see what she's been able to accomplish in the offseason. Hopefully she has a really good senior year."
Linthacum has always had her eyes on Missouri, but the Tigers have also been looking at her for a while too.
"It all kind of started my sophomore year just with talking to the school and just building that relationship," Linthacum said.
The wait to finally get on the floor at Mizzou Arena will last a bit longer for Linthacum, who'll redshirt next season. It'll be another year to prepare for that level of basketball.
"I now I'm going to need to get stronger and faster and jump higher," Linthacum said. "It's just a whole different ballgame on athleticism and I'm looking forward to it."
Linthacum will join a Tigers program that has become a regular participant in the NCAA Tournament. The 16th-ranked Tigers will try to make it four straight appearances this season.
"I'm really excited to be a part of the program they've built up there," Linthacum said. "I'm really excited to get close with the girls and the coaching staff."
As far as her senior season at Jefferson City, Linthacum is hoping for a trip to JQH Arena in Springfield.
"I think that we have the potential to win a state championship," Linthacum said. "I know that's a bold statement, but I think we have the pieces. I think if we work hard I think we can make it happen."