MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama head men's basketball coach Richie Riley announced on Monday that Tyrell Jones has signed a grant-in-aid with the school and will join the program.
Jones is transferring to USA after spending three semesters at Auburn.
"Tyrell is a game changer with his mix of elite speed and skill," Riley saod. "As a point guard he can not only score in a variety of ways but also possesses vision to create for others. I'm excited about the impact he will have on our program and can't wait to coach him."
Jones appeared in seven games, making three starts, for the Tigers this season, averaging 3.3 points and 1.3 rebounds per contest while adding eight assists and four steals. He scored a career-best 11 points — including going 2-of-4 from three-point range — in a season-opening victory over St. Joseph's, also posting three rebounds and two assists, and had five points against No. 1 Gonzaga and four in a win over Memphis. As a freshman during the 2019-20 season, Jones finished with nine points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and four steals, recording a 1.75 assist-to-turnover ratio while seeing action in 11 games as AU went 25-6, tied for second in the Southeastern Conference with a 12-6 mark and was 20th in both final polls.
Considered a four-star recruit by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN, Jones was ranked among the top 100 prospects in the country by both 247Sports and ESPN — with the latter organization also including him among the top 10 players in the state — as well as the top 150 by Rivals. Originally from Chicago, Ill., he was named first-team all-state as a senior at West Oaks (Fla.) Academy after averaging 19.8 points and five assists per outing. Jones posted 17.2 points, three assists, three rebounds and 2.2 steals per game the previous season, which included a performance in which he scored 40 points after connecting on a school record 12 three-point field goals.
Jones is one of five newcomers set to be eligible for the Jaguars next fall. Diante Smith (Fort Walton Beach, Fla.) and Marshall Kearing (Perth, Australia) are transferring in from TCU and State College of Florida, respectively, while Alex Anderson (Millington, Tenn.) and Tyler Shirley (Mableton, Ga.) are currently high school seniors.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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