USC leading scorer academically ineligible
By Josh Barnett, USA TODAY
Southern California junior guard Maurice Jones has been declared academically ineligible for the coming season, the school announced.
Jones, the Trojans’ leading scorer last season, is expected to return for his final two seasons of eligibility.
The 5-7 Jones averaged 13 points and a team-high 3.5 assists last season for USC. His 125 career steals is already ninth on the school’s all-time list, and he had been climbing the charts in three-pointers. He led the Pac-12 with 38.2 minutes per game last season as injuries forced the Trojan to heavily rely on him.
“Maurice Jones has been nothing short of magnificent for us for two years,” coach Kevin O’Neill said in a statement. “Mo has been a great guy and great player and we want him to graduate from USC. I support him 100 percent in all that he does.”
The loss leaves the Trojans with an interesting mix in the backcourt. Sophomore Byron Wesley returns after starting all 32 games as a freshman, averaging 9.6 points and 5.1 rebounds. Wake Forest transfer J.T. Terrell joins USC this season; Jio Fontan is coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and Chass Bryan is a true freshman from Oak Park, Calif.
USC was 6-26 and 1-17 in the Pac-12 last season as they were decimated by injuries.
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