Remember the name. (Insider: college basketball).

Jimmy McKinney, SG, Missouri

It's not all that hard to find a college player with hip-hopper Nelly in his Discman. Or one playing pickup games in the summer months. But finding a college kid playing pickup games with Nelly? Just head to St. Louis and meet Jimmy McKinney.

"Nelly loves to get the workout to keep him in shape," says McKinney, who led Vashon High School, a national power from St. Louis, to three state titles before taking his game to Missouri this season. "Most of the time we'll meet up at pickup games at Vashon with alumni and guys in college."

With the sweetest of jumpers and deft ball-handling, McKinney (6-3, 200) has helped Missouri to an 8-1 start. His leadership and unselfishness have been vital to the Tigers, who reached the Elite Eight last year but came to rely too heavily on since-departed guards Kareem Rush and Clarence Gilbert.

McKinney has drawn the most attention this season for The Mask. Nelly drew props for the Band-Aid he started sporting after a hoops injury, but McKinney has done him one better with clear plastic headgear that is strapped to the upper half of his face to protect the injury he suffered in an exhibition game.

"There are two bones right above the eye and I broke one of them. If I broke the second one, it could mess with my brain," said McKinney, who had five plates and 26 screws implanted. "Talking to God really calmed me down. It's not hard playing with it; it's just a mental thing knowing I have it on and knowing that it doesn't look too hot."

McKinney should be able to drop the mask any day now, making it easier for him to play multiple roles. He's averaging 10.0 points a game on 44.2 percent shooting, and when his shot isn't on, he's quick to pass. His assists-to-turnover ratio of 3.7-to-1 is second in the Big 12.