FMU Men gain services of Paladin post player

Francis Marion University men's basketball coach Gary Edwards has announced that 6-9, 235-pound center Stanley Jones of Miami, Fla., is transferring from Furman University to join the Patriot program.  Jones will have one year of eligibility at FMU.

Jones played three seasons for the Paladins.  This past year, he played in eight games, starting seven times, and averaged 6.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.  He connected on 55.3 percent of his field goal attempts.

As a sophomore, he appeared in 31 games with 21 starts and averaged 5.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game with 14 blocked shots.  He shot 46.4 percent from the floor and scored in double figures five times.

During his freshman campaign, he played in 28 games (26 starts) and averaged 6.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game with 24 blocks, while shooting 53.2 percent from the floor.  He scored in double digits in four contests and was named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman Team.

Jones is a graduate of Monsignor Pace Prep School, where he played under the direction of coach Mark Lieberman.  As a senior, he tallied 10 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, while helping lead his school to a 27-6 mark and an appearance in the Florida AAA state semifinals.  He was selected for both the Dade vs. Broward All-Star Game and Dade/Broward vs. Palm Beach All-Star contest.  Monsignor won the state title with a 33-5 record during Jones' junior season.

Jones joins a pair of transfer guards, Kendrick Robinson of Goose Creek and Anthony Wallen of Anderson, Ala., who previously announced their intentions to attend FMU.  Francis Marion lost four seniors off last year's 12-16 squad.