Maryland Recruit Mike Jones Sits Out

Mike Jones really wanted to play today in New York City. "He looked like he was going to play," said Long Island Panthers head coach Gary Charles, whose team is competing in one of the country's top events, the IS8 league held in Queens, New York. IS8 annually features the best talent in the country, especially those players from the New York area. The Panthers played today in a league game which determined seedings for the playoffs.

Jones, who has signed a letter of intent with Maryland, is a top notch scoring guard who can elevate above the rim. "Mike pulled a groin," Charles said. "He needed to rest it. We didn't need him today. We won by twenty points."

Jones, who in the past year has played for Charles' highly regarded Panthers AAU program, still has the itch to play more hoops this season. "He wants to help us in the playoffs," Charles said. "So I don't know what's going to happen. He has to be healthy first. Then we can make a decision."

Many high school players love to play in the IS8 league because of the high level of competition present each weekend. Jones is a great competitor who loves to play against the best talent in the country. "He's been a great player for us," Charles said. "He's also going to be a great player for Maryland too."