June 14, 2016
@TheRunninRebels
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV men's basketball program has received a signed financial aid agreement from Christian Jones, head coach Marvin Menzies announced Tuesday.
Jones, a 6-foot-7-inch forward from Arlington, Texas, is a graduate transfer from St. John's and will be eligible to play right away as a senior in 2016-17 for the Runnin' Rebels. He has spent the last four seasons as a member of the Red Storm men's basketball program (redshirted in 2012-13).
Last year, Jones played in all 32 of St. John's games and made 19 starts. He averaged 8.4 points on 47.8 percent shooting from the field, recorded 5.2 rebounds per game and had 17 blocks. He posted three double-doubles and scored in double figures on 13 occasions, including a career-high 29 points against Marquette in the Big East Tournament. For the season, he averaged 25.2 minutes played per contest.
"We are very pleased and excited to announce the addition of Christian to the program," Menzies said. "He is another significant addition to our roster for this season, and brings us immediate experience, toughness and leadership. We had instant chemistry from our first conversation on the phone and I am confident that his short journey as a Runnin' Rebel will be very productive."
Prior to attending St. John's, Jones played one postgraduate season for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. He was a four-year standout at James Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas, earning team MVP honors as a senior in 2010-11 (15.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg).
Jones joins the following student-athletes as incoming Runnin' Rebels that have signed with UNLV:
- Kris Clyburn, a 6-foot-6-inch guard from Ranger (Texas) College
- Ben Coupet, a 6-foot-7-inch forward from Chicago (Simeon Career Academy)
- Cheikna Dembele, a 6-foot-11-inch center from Mali Africa (Scotland Performance Institute in Pa.)
- Jordan Johnson, a 5-foot-9-inch guard from Waukegan, Ill. (transfer from Milwaukee - will have to sit out 2016-17 season)
- Jovan Mooring, a 6-foot-2-inch guard from Country Club Hills, Ill. (South Suburban College)
- Zion Morgan, a 6-foot-4-inch guard from Chicago (Kenwood Academy)
- Uche Ofoegbu, a 6-foot-4-inch guard from San Antonio, Texas (graduate transfer from San Francisco -- eligible immediately)
- Djordjije Slijivancanin, a 6-foot-10-inch forward from Belgrade, Serbia (IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.)
