|
Nov. 14, 2007
Jason Jones and Arnett Moultrie, a pair of talented prep players from Memphis, Tenn., have signed national letters of intent to play basketball at UTEP beginning with the 2008-09 season, Miner head coach Tony Barbee announced on Wednesday. "There's no question in my mind that we signed the two best players out of the city of Memphis this year," Barbee said. "Jason is 6-6 and multi-skilled. He can play anywhere from point guard to the small forward position. Arnett is 6-11, 220 pounds. He was 6-1 or 6-2 as a high school freshman, so he has grown a lot but still possesses guard skills. He's a unique talent who changes the game because of his versatility and skill level. Both Jason and Arnett are better people than they are players, and that's why I'm excited about them." Jones and Moultrie become the third and fourth Memphis products to sign with UTEP under Barbee, joining current Miner freshmen Randy Culpepper and Gabriel McCulley. Jones is a 6-6, 190-pound guard/forward from Ridgeway High School. He averaged 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists as a junior, earning All-District and All-Region honors. He was also selected Ridgeway High's team MVP. Jones scored 24 points in a state playoff game against Clarksville High School a year ago. "Jason is a phenomenal ball player," Ridgeway head coach Wes Henning said. "He is very versatile and can play numerous positions. He shoots the ball well and is a good defender because of his length. He is a really coachable kid and really knowledgeable. He is just a great person to be around." Moultrie is currently playing at Raleigh Egypt High School. He earned All-Metro honors his junior year after averaging 15 points and eight rebounds at Trezvant High School, where he played for three seasons before transferring to Raleigh Egypt High. Moultrie has been nominated for the McDonald's All-America team.
"Arnett just turned 17 this month, so he is a really young player," Raleigh Egypt head coach Jimmy Adams said. "He is already 6-11, so physically he's not as mature as he's going to be in the next two or three years. I think you're going to really see him blossom. UTEP fans will enjoy watching him develop. He's starting to realize some things about his size and ability to play above the rim. He has really improved just in the few months we've had him [at Raleigh Egypt High School]. I think he'll continue to improve as a senior, and his best basketball is ahead of him at the college level." 
 
|
|
