Miami just got one of its missing pieces back according to the school’s release, which stated that senior DeQuan Jones can compete effective immediately. Jones was suspended for allegedly accepting impermissible benefits from renegade booster Nevin Shapiro. The Hurricanes got the go-ahead from the NCAA to reinstate Jones although they did not comment any further.
Here is the Miami’s official statement:
The University of Miami, after consultation with the NCAA, has announced that senior basketball player DeQuan Jones can return to competition immediately. In order to protect the integrity of the ongoing joint inquiry, the University will not comment further at this time.
DeQuan Jones Has Been Reinstated To Play For Miami.
What does the addition of Jones mean for the Hurricanes? Most importantly, they get a lot taller. Jones will immediately become the third-tallest player in Jim Larranga‘s rotation behind center Kenny Kadji and back-up center Raphael Akpejiori. But don’t expect Jones to be a savior on either end of the floor. He came to Coral Gables a consensus top-25 recruit based largely on his athleticism (see the video below from his freshman year for evidence), but Jones has struggled to live up to his hype, never having the breakout season many expected of him. However, don’t underestimate the importance of a tall, athletic player on a team that really struggles rebounding the ball. If Jones can be a little more consistent shooting the ball, he could be a very valuable fourth option for this team (once Reggie Johnson returns).
All things told, don’t expect Jones to turn Miami into a top-25 team. Historically, he’s not been that type of player. However, between Jones and Johnson returning, the Hurricanes will be a very different team in conference play than they were at the start of the season. With early struggles from Florida State and much of the “middle tier” of ACC teams, fourth place in conference play looks very attainable right now, and Jones definitely helps fill some of the team’s holes. The Hurricanes’ next game is Thursday against Charlotte so we should get our first glimpse of the new DeQuan Jones soon.
It should be noted that Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports, who broke the Nevin Shapiro story, says that the NCAA’s investigation into Jones is not even close to being done, but that Miami caved when presented with the treat of a lawsuit.