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Sports

Pure point guard dishes 'yes' to UH

Jones will have a chance to run the point for Houston in 2006-2007

by CHRIS ELLIOTT
The Daily Cougar

Associate coach and recruiting director Melvin Haralson has certainly made enough noise in terms of recruiting to validate his contract extension, received earlier in the year.

Tuesday, he and the rest of the staff were able to snag one more junior college recruit to fill another hole left by Houston's graduating seniors. 

Charlie Jones III will get a chance to join a recruiting class of one freshman and four other junior college prospects. 

Jones played his freshman year at Blinn Junior College and has been called by both Haralson and head coach Tom Penders as a pure point guard who will be able to control the tempo for the Cougars.

"He's a pass first guy and a very good open shooter," Haralson said. "He's struggled a little bit from the free throw line, but he's a very good player. We thought he'd be a very good player to put out there either in front of (junior guard) Lanny (Smith), or behind Lanny. We're going to let those guys battle it out in practice and see who's the best."

Getting used to the Houston area won't be much of an adjustment for Jones, who attended Cinco Ranch in Katy. 

Before attending Blinn he had originally committed to play for Colorado State, so his ability to play division one ball is not in question.

Haralson believes Jones' court vision and speed will make Houston a better team next season.

"He's a solid guy who runs the offense very well," Haralson said. "We needed a guy to set up plays; we think he's the guy we were looking for. He has a very high basketball I.Q. He sees the whole court. He's one of those guys who can distribute the basketball and understands the game."

Houston had three former JuCo players in the starting five last season. 
 

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