COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The NCAA announced Tuesday that Texas A&M men's basketball junior guard/forward Jalen Jones will be eligible for the start of the 2014-15 season.
“I want to thank Eric Hyman, our administration and our compliance office for all the hard work they've done on Jalen's behalf,” Texas A&M head coach Billy Kennedy said. “I'm very happy that the NCAA made the right decision in this situation and we look forward to having Jalen on the court.”
Jones will be eligible for the beginning of this season but forced to sit out the first four games of his senior campaign in 2015-16 after taking part in a two closed scrimmages for SMU prior to transferring to Texas A&M in January. Jones did not play in any exhibition or regular season contests in 2013-14.
As a sophomore for the Mustangs during the 2012-13 season, the Dallas native and Kimball High School product led SMU in scoring by averaging 14.0 points per game while contributing 7.7 rebounds per contest. Along the way he produced nine double-doubles and 10 games with at least 15 points and seven boards.
Jones was selected Conference USA Player of the Week, NetScouts.com C-USA POTW & MarchMadness.com National High-Major Player of the Week on Dec. 3, 2012, after averaging 17 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks, 1.5 assists and a steal in wins over Utah & Hofstra.
As a freshman at SMU in 2011-12, Jones played in 32 games and drew 18 starting assignments. He averaged 8.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest while compiling 22 steals, 19 assists and 12 blocks.
The Aggies will host Texas A&M-Commerce in an exhibition contest on Nov. 5 before officially tipping off the new campaign on Nov. 14 when Texas A&M welcomes Northwestern State at Reed Arena.