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Xavier scored a big fish in a literal way on Sunday morning as 6’11 center Kentrevious Jones (Macon, Georgia) committed to the Musketeers as he joins Chris Mack’s highly touted 2017 recruiting class.
The news first came through the waves via Brian Snow of Scout as well as Jeff Borzello of ESPN.
Xavier has added 3-star big man Kentrevious Jones from Georgia
— Brian Snow (@BSnowScout) September 25, 2016
Xavier has picked up a commitment from 2017 big man Kentrevious Jones, per source. 6-foot-11 center out of Georgia.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) September 25, 2016
He would then take to Twitter to announce the news himself several minutes later.
Excited to officially announce my commitment to Xavier University ⚔️⚔️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/PIuh2xXZXC
— BigKent (@TheReal_Bigk) September 25, 2016
Coach Mack, meanwhile, would express his sentiments on Twitter.
BIG, BIG, BIG day at Xavier! #XMarksTheSpot
— Chris Mack (@CoachChrisMack) September 25, 2016
Jones gives the Musketeers a much-needed presence in the post. The 2016 roster features a field of players whose height isn’t the most towering as there is just one player whose height is listed higher than 6’9, that being junior Sean O’Mara. RaShid Gaston and Tyrique Jones meanwhile are 6’9 and 6’8 respectively, as is wing Kaiser Gates.
Xavier would have been without Jalen Reynolds who had one year of eligibility remaining that would’ve expired following the 2016-17 season. Given that 6’9 power forward Eddie Ekiyor of Canada had transferred as well as 6’10 hooper Makinde London, landing a center was a priority for Mack and his staff. They may have had to trek all the way down to The Peach State to get one, but the Musketeers pulled it off.
The Musketeers now have four players in their 2017 class which ranks second in the Big East behind Butler who landed shooting guard Christian David on Saturday night. Jones joins Naji Marshall, Jared Ridder and Elias Harden in what is poised to be a standout group that will come to Cincinnati next fall.