University of North Texas Athletics
Walton & Jones Add To Nation's No. 31 Class
11/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
DENTON, Texas - Johnny Jones and the North Texas men's basketball team signed Chris Jones and Brandan Walton to National Letters of Intent on Thursday. When combined with Wednesday's trio of signees the Mean Green hauled in the nation's No. 31 recruiting class according to Hoopscooponline.com, which is the highest in the history of the program.
Fresh off its second Sun Belt championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in the last four years, the Mean Green's rating was topped in the state of Texas only by Texas and Baylor. This class, which features four players among the state top 70, is the fourth top 100 recruiting haul of the Jones era and the second since 2008.
North Texas tips off the 2010-11 Campaign on Friday at Noon against Henderson State at the Super Pit. The banner raising ceremony from last year's run to the NCAA Tournament will be held prior to Tuesday night's 7 p.m. tip against Texas Tech.
Thursday's signees
- Chris Jones - 6-2 - PG - Lakeview Centennial HS
Chris Jones is the third TABC All-State selection to sign with the Mean Green in this class. The Lakeview Centennial point guard is listed as the No. 24 player in the state by Texas Hoops, and registers as Hoop Scoop's 237th ranked player nationally. His averages of 13.9 points per game, 5.6 assists per game and 4.2 steals per game made him the 10-5A MVP, as well as All-Region and All-State. The 6-2 all-star led Centennial to a 33-4 mark and the 5A State Title game, where he scored a team-high 19 points on the state's biggest stage. Jones averaged 20 points and five steals per game in the UIL State Tournament.
"We are excited about the addition of Chris Jones, who has the ability to play the '1' and the '2'. He will bring a sense of toughness on both ends of the floor, and has a special knack for scoring and creating opportunities for his teammates." - Johnny Jones
- Brandan Walton - 6-2 - 2G - Casper College
Brandon Walton is expected to bring an experienced presence to the Mean Green after a two-year stay at Casper College (Wy.). As a freshman, Walton averaged 11.3 points per game and shot 36 percent from 3-point for the Thunderbirds, who went 24-9 and claimed a Region IX championship. Walton is among Region IX's top scorers, and has posted 17 and 14 points in Casper's only two games this year.
"We are pleased with the signing of Brandon Walton. The experience that he has wil be valuable to our team. His 3-point rang and his playmaking ability will help fill the void of the seniors that we will lose after this season." - Johnny Jones
Wednesday's signees
- Jordan Williams - 6-6 - SF - The Colony HS
The gem of the class is Jordan Williams, who led The Colony to the state semifinals as the No. 71 player in the country and the No. 7 overall player in the Lone Star State. Those figures make him the highest rated recruit in the program's history. The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 19.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game as a junior, and garnered District Co-MVP honors, as well as All-Region and All-State recognition by the TABC. Williams is listed as the No. 24 small forward in the country by Rivals.com, and Texas Hoops named him the No. 4 small forward in Texas.
- Forrest Robinson - 6-10 - PF - Eastland HS
Eastland's Forrest Robinson is listed by Texas Hoops as the seventh best power forward in Texas after racking up averages of 22.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per game for the Mavericks. Like Williams, Robinson was his district MVP, and was named All-Region and All-State by the TABC. Texas Hoops named Robinson the No. 32 player in the state, and Hoop Scoop put him No. 275 on the list of the nation's top preps. He was named the All-Big Country Super Team MVP by the Abilene Reporter News, as well as their Super Team MVP, after leading Eastland to a 28-4 record and a trip to the Region I semifinals.
- Trey Norris - 6-0 - PG - South Grand Prairie
Trey Norris averaged 16 points and 7.0 assists per game for South Grand Prairie last season, which made him a First-Team All-District 7-5A selection, and the No. 70 ranked recruit in the state according to Texas Hoops. Hoop Scoop listed Norris, a 6-foot, 170-pound point guard, as the No. 620 player in the country. Norris' AAU team, Showtyme Elite, won a Great American Shootout title in April.
