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AG's Wildcat Report - Dispatches on the Wildcats, from Anthony Gimino

Arizona’s MoMo Jones to transfer; his moxie will be missed

by on May. 16, 2011, under Arizona basketball

MoMo Jones celebrates after Arizona's 93-77 victory over Duke. Photo by Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

Arizona Wildcats point guard MoMo Jones has decided to transfer from the program, the school announced Monday night.

“I would like to thank my coaches, my teammates and all of the U of A fans for making my two years at Arizona very special,” Jones said in a press release.

“After much thought, I have decided to pursue my goals at a school closer to home. My desire to be closer to my family, and in particular my grandmother, is the reason I am transferring. I want it to be known that I love this program, my coaches and teammates. I appreciate everyone for supporting me through this tough time.”

The transfer solves Arizona’s scholarship crunch, reducing the numbers to 12. Teams can typically carry 13, but the Wildcats lost a scholarship in each of the next two seasons because of NCAA violations.

And Jones’ departure thins a crowded backcourt and lets players more neatly fit into roles for next season, when coach Sean Miller adds touted point guard Josiah Turner and athletic shooting guard Nick Johnson.

Turner will be trying out for Team USA’s U-19 men’s basketball team next month.

How would Jones, who started all of last season at point guard, have reacted if he had to cede time to Turner? How would Miller have solved the playing time issues with Jones back at shooting guard? We’ll never know.

With Turner on board, and sophomore point guard Jordin Mayes coming off a solid freshman season, Jones’ departure isn’t a major blow to the program’s chances for next season. That should be a very good point guard combination.

But Jones’ experience, his moxie, his swagger — and his ability to sometimes score in bunches — will be missed.

He isn’t a classic pass-first point guard and he isn’t a brilliant shooter as a two-guard, but he is a good scorer (9.7 points per game last season) who never backed down in any situation.

Jones, from Harlem, N.Y., is the third player to leave the program early since last season. Sophomore forward Derrick Williams left for the NBA; backup freshman guard Daniel Bejarano decided to transfer.

Arizona fans are left with a couple of indelible memories of Jones — his running 17-footer to beat Stanford at the buzzer in his freshman season, and his 27-point effort in a triple-overtime victory at Cal last season (see video below).

Jones was a key part in getting the Arizona program back off the ground under Miller, so his value to the program in that regard can’t be overstated. It was only a two-year stay, but it should be fondly remembered.

Stats, pictures, quotes: A look back at MoMo Jones’ sophomore season

Here is how Arizona’s roster looks for next season, by class:

Seniors
G Kyle Fogg
C Alex Jacobson
G Brendon Lavender
F Jesse Perry

Juniors
F Solomon Hill
C Kyryl Natyazhko
G/F Kevin Parrom

Sophomore
PG Jordin Mayes

Freshmen
F Angelo Chol
G Nick Johnson
F Sidiki Johnson
PG Josiah Turner

This entry was posted on Monday, May 16th, 2011 at 7:25 pm and is filed under Arizona basketball. Tags for this post: . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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  • Jack

    I really like Momo. I’m going to miss him.

    Good luck Momo and thanks for the memories.

  • http://none JimBodkins

    The post was expected to be wobbly this year. Now it appears the backcourt will be wobbly as well.

    I know I know, all the fantasy basketball players out there think the freshmen will be unstoppable – they should watch basketball for a decade or two before they come to that conclusion.

    Jones wont be replaced and his departure weakens the team.

    Miller now has to train front and backcourts – he better get a really good assistant.

    • momo

      we may be worse in the short term, but by mid season we will be better.  thanks for 2 great years momo! good luck wherever you go!

    • macjoneszona

      And bubba, you obviously don’t watch much major college basketball other than your home town squad, Eh.
      Because, in the last four years alone there’s been more than a few true freshmen, which helped lead their respective teams on deep runs into the N.C.A.A. Tournament.
      And believe it or not Wilbur bubba, both Nick Johnson and Josiah Turner are going to be MARQUEE ballers as true freshmen with Arizona! A possible Elite-8 trek in 2012 anyone. If not a Final Four.  Get outta’ here.
      By the way, just to show how much that jimbo is IGNORANT of college hoop matters. I recall a Calhoun squad winning the National Championship this past spring and come to think of it, UCONN didn’t have exactly an All-Conference Big East front court, eh. Matter of fact, both the Huskies C and PF weren’t even DOUBLE-DIGIT scorers and were THIRD and or FOURTH scoring options. Go bloody figure.
      Nonetheless, I give that Wilbur bubba mega kudo’s for STINKING HIS foot in his yakkety yapping mouth.

      • http://none Jim Bodkins

        Still a mouthy kid arent you. You are a nasty piece of work and a forum thug. You are one of the reasons I stopped posting before and have again now.
         
        I dont know you and dont want to know you. I will say that the Tucson Citizen has become a sewer as a result of people like you. Evans and Gimino are clearly not up to the job.
         
        Jones cant be replaced. He would have averaged in the high teens from 2 this year. The backcourt just took a major hit.
         
        I’m done with you, Evans and Gimino.

  • Johnny Bravo

    Wow.  Best of luck MoMo!  You really won me over this year.  I hope you find a really good fit, get a good education and have a great basketball career!

    Suddenly, 2012-2013 is looking pretty thin…  Losing 4 seniors, and likely 1-2 under classmen.

  • macjoneszona

    Other than both Derrick and Parrom, Lamont ” MoMo “ Jones was one of my favorite Wildcat ballers. I wish nothing but the best with Jones’  two remaining years on the major college hoopdom level.

  • Augie

    We’ll be fine and he’ll do well where ever he goes.

  • http://www.Vaporizers-volcano.com Volcano Vaporizer

    thanks for sharing information for your blog and very nice blog site i really impressed and want some more Arizona’s MoMo Jones to transfer; his moxie will be missed

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