St. John’s coach Steve Lavin reached out to the Momo Jones camp for the first time Thursday evening, according to the person advising Jones on his recruitment.
The school is interested in the Arizona transfer and Jones, a Harlem native, could well wind up there, but nothing is done yet.
Asked about published reports that Jones-to-St. John’s was a done deal, the recruiting adviser said, “That’s not accurate. I don’t understand how this thing’s out there. That’s not accurate.”
Lavin hadn’t spoken with Jones or his adviser until Thursday, and the St. John’s coach was also surprised to hear of the reports, the adviser said.
“[Lavin said], ‘I don’t know how that got out there like that,'” the adviser said. “He assured me that [neither] him or no one on on his staff made that comment.”
St. John’s, UConn, Seton Hall, Hofstra and Iona are among schools that have expressed interest in Jones, who averaged 9.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season at Arizona and said he would like to transfer closer to home.
Rutgers did not reach out because it has an abundance of guards coming in, the adviser said.
Jones returns home early next week and the adviser said his preference would be to play at a high level such as the Big East.
“He wants to go to the next best situation” after playing in the Pac-10, the adviser said.
St. John’s is also involved with N.C. State transfer Ryan Harrow, but Harrow did not make a scheduled visit to St. John’s Wednesday because his mother said she had a work obligation in Raleigh, N.C.
Harrow said he remains undecided.
“I haven’t made any decisions yet,” he said Thursday by text. “My mother and I have to talk and make the right decision.”
UConn also could be an option for Jones.
Huskies coach Jim Calhoun said Wednesday in New York that his team was looking to add a 10th scholarship player, but his staff was uncertain if it needed a guard or a big.
The Huskies currently have Shabazz Napier at point guard.
“UConn may have some interest,” the adviser said. “They’re trying to get a big kid, then I think they would be interested in trying to go after Momo.”
An NCAA dead period lasts from May 19-27, so Jones can’t visit any schools until afterward.
“He doesn’t come home until early next week,” the adviser said. “No one can do nothing with Momo until after because it’s a dead period.”
RELATED CONTENT
**Harrow: ‘I haven’t decided yet‘
**Momo Jones awaiting word from St. John’s
**UConn looking for Lamb to lead the way
