Duquesne men's basketball adds transfer Frankie Hughes

Guard Frankie Hughes, who started the first 11 games last season for Missouri, has joined the Duquesne men's basketball team as one of five transfers who won't become eligible until the 2018-19 season.

Hughes, a Cleveland native who earned all-state honors as a senior at Garfield Heights High School, was the first Missouri player to begin a career with consecutive 20-point games — 23 against Alabama A&M and 24 against Xavier. He hit 45 3-pointers for Missouri, one short of the school freshman record and had five in a game twice (Xavier and Ole Miss).

Hughes (6-foot-4, 195 pounds) originally signed a letter of intent with Louisville in November, 2015. When Louisville released him, Hughes signed with Missouri where he averaged 7.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and nearly 20 minutes per game.

“We're excited that Frankie is joining us,” Duquesne coach Keith Dambrot said in a statement. Dambrot developed a relationship with Hughes when he was coaching at Akron. “He's a Northeast Ohio guy who we've known for a long time.

“Frankie was recruited heavily out of high school and has already competed at a high level in the Southeastern Conference. He's the type of player who can help us be successful in the Atlantic 10. Frankie is a good offensive player with shooting ability. We're looking forward to developing his entire game.”

Hughes has three years of eligibility.

Jerry DiPaola is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at jdipaola@tribweb.com or via Twitter @JDiPaola_Trib.