Christian Jones, a 6-foot-7, 220-pound forward from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academies, verbally committed to St. John’s on Saturday over Auburn and Oklahoma State, a source with knowledge of the situation told SNY.tv.
Jones visited St. John’s this past week and was on campus during the NBA Draft when former St. John’s forward Moe Harkless was chosen with the 15th pick by the Philadelphia 76ers.
“Christian Jones is a very good athlete who has improved his skill set tremendously,” IMG postgrad coach Loren Jackson told SNY.tv. “He is developing into a face-up four that can also play the wing position.
“Christian will eventually be a very good three-man.”
Jones joins frontcourt commits JaKarr Sampson, Chris Obekpa and Orlando Sanchez in the 2012 class. Sanchez also considered Auburn before picking the Johnnies.
Originally from Arlington (TX) Bowie High, Jones knows St. John’s guard Phil Greene from his time at IMG and is friendly with Jamal Branch and D’Angelo Harrison from Texas. Branch is a Texas A&M transfer who becomes eligible in December.
