Update June 8th, 2011,1:15
According to Adam Zagoria of SNY, former Arizona point guard, Lamont “Momo” Jones will transfer to Iona.
“I look forward to going to the Gaels and pursuing my dreams of getting my degree and basketball career. My decision was basically solely on being close to my family and still having an opportunity to showcase my skills.” Jones told Zagoria through his advisor,Dermon Player.
Previous reports indicated that Jones would be headed to St. John’s, but due to NCAA rules, Jones couldn’t commit to the Red Storm. Moe Hicks, St. John’s current Director of Basketball Operations, coached Jones’ at Rice High School during his time with that famed program.
Update May 24th, 2011, 10:30
For Momo to enroll, another Moe would have to exit, that “Moe” being one of Steve Lavin’s prized assistant coaches, Moe Hicks.
According to Adam Zagoria of SNY, an NCAA ruling states that a player cannot be sign with a school if that school has a staff member who, in the past two years, coached the recruit elsewhere.
Moe Hicks was Jones’ coach at Rice High School for two years before Jones made his move to Oak Hill Academy for his senior year of high school.
Jones decommitted from Arizona two weeks ago, stating he wanted to return to the East coast and was trying to get a wavier to allow him to play this upcoming season due to an illness in his family.
Jones’ wavier can still be granted, but, if he is to play at St. John’s, he will have to play a season elsewhere, such as a junior college. This would let a year pass, before being able to enter St. John’s. But, if Moe Hicks decides to part and coach elsewhere and Jones’ waiver passes, he could play immediately.
Check back to Johnny Jungle for information on this developing story.
Update May 20th, 2011, 12:02pm
According to Roger Rubin of the Daily News, Lamont “Momo” Jones to St. John’s is not yet a done deal.
Citing a source, Rubin says the Red Storm staff is “weighing whether Jones…would be a good fit with the program” and is “seeking guidance” in the process from former St. John’s and Seton Hall assistant Dermon Player.
Recruiting is currently in the so-called “dead period”, where contact between schools and players cannot occur, which lasts until Memorial Day weekend. According to Player and Rubin, UConn, St. John’s, Iona, and Seton Hall have been granted permission to speak to Jones, with Maryland and Boston College deciding whether to jump into the mix.
Original story posted May 19, 2011, 5:54pm
Lamont “MoMo” Jones, a rising junior transfer from Arizona, will announce he is joining the Red Storm, according to Lenn Robbins of the New York Post.
“I would like to thank my coaches, my teammates and all of the U of A fans for making my two years at Arizona very special,” Jones said in the school’s press release after his transfer. “After much thought, I have decided to pursue my goals at a school closer to home. My desire to be closer to my family, and in particular my grandmother, is the reason I am transferring.”
With this expressed interest to return to the East coast, Jones was considering schools like Villanova, UConn and Seton Hall before choosing St. John’s. Jones has strong ties to the Red Storm, as St. John’s Director of Basketball Operations Moe Hicks coached him during his tenure at Rice High School (NY).
Jones’ Wildcats made their way to the Elite Eight last season, knocking off defending champion Duke in the Sweet Sixteen.
After transferring, Jones made it clear that the reason for his departure was his desire to return East. This move clears the way for highly-ranked incoming freshman point guard Josiah Turner of Quality Education Academy, who would likely have taken a cut of Jones’ minutes, had he stayed.
Standing 6′ tall, Jones brings two years of experience and leadership to St. John’s backcourt. He will join Phil Greene and Malik Stith as the two other true point guards on the roster, along with Nurideen Lindsey, a combo guard transfer from Redlands Community College.
Multiple sources said Jones was seeking a waiver to play immediately, citing the health of his grandmother as the main reason for his transfer.
This is a developing story. More details will be added as they come in to JohnnyJungle.com. Contributions from Daniel Martin.