Raiders sign former Tiger Jones
The UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders have announced the exciting signing of shooting guard James Jones, who has been one of the BBL’s hottest shooting players in recent years. Jones was also a member of the Team GB squad earlier this summer.
Jones will replace Sebastien Maio in Raiders’ lineup this year, as Maio has been released from his contract.
“I’m really happy to be in Plymouth,” said James. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about Coach love and the whole of the Raiders organisation, and can’t wait to get started with the team. It’s going to be a great season.”
Jones was part of the successful Mersey Tigers squad who won the BBL Trophy, League and end of season Playoffs last year. “He’s coming to us with a huge amount of experience and success in the BBL,” said Raiders head coach Gavin Love. “James is going to help us in a multitude of ways. He’s tall, a good defensive player and has been one of the premier shooting guards in the league since he returned from college in the USA.”
Jones first signed to play with the Guildford Heat in 2007/08, and moved to Mersey the season after. He has been there until this summer. In 2009/10,he shot a blistering 48% from the 3 point line. “He’s won 7 championships since 2008 which proves he’s used to winning and knows what it takes. That’s the kind of experience that we want James to bring to the team this year,” said Raiders Chairman, Bob Widdecombe.
He averaged 12.7 points, 4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game last season, and had some very impressive performances, scoring 23 against the Raiders, 29 and 21 against Essex and Cheshire respectively, 24 against Guildford and 19 against Sheffield. But it was in the last 2 weeks of the regular season when he really proved his worth, helping to power the team to the League title, with an average of 18.5 points in the Tigers’ last 5 games.
Jones arrived in Plymouth on Monday night, and was set to join up with his new teammates on Tuesday for a Land Rover Experience of off-road driving near Honiton.
