The countdown to tipoff is on, and Pickin’ Splinters has what MAAC basketball fans need to know about this year’s incoming class.
Fairfield’s Stags get their spot on the pedestal.
The Stags fell to Kent State 72-68 in the second round of the NIT. Since then Sydney Johnson has taken the reins. Johnson and his staff welcome two freshmen that are Signed, sealed, delivered: Adam Jones and Vincent Van Nes.
Adam Jones 6’8″ 210lbs. F Winter Park, FLA — Winter Park
Joins the Stags after spending a year at St. Thomas More Prep where he averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per game a year ago. He graduated from Winter Park High School before attending prep school. As a member of the Winter Park basketball team, Jones tallied 13 points and nine rebounds per game during his career, highlighted by his season average double-double as a senior. The forward/center registered 10 points and 10 rebounds every forty minutes during that campaign which culminated in a state championship for Winter Park. As a junior, Jones was a defensive force in the paint, blocking 121 shots including two games with 10 rejections (Mt. Dora and Colonial). He blocked more than 400 shots over his junior and senior seasons. Jones was also a scorer in his junior campaign, netting 10 or more points in 14 games including a season-high 21 markers against both Edgewater and Oak Ridge.
Vincent Van Nes 7′ 230lbs. C Dorchester, England — Northfield-Mount Hermon
Comes to Fairfield University via Northfield-Mount Hermon where he spent last season. He has a strong international basketball background. He was the team’s leading scorer at Northfield-Mount Hermon where he helped the team post a 21-9 overall record and reach the national prep tournament. One year earlier, Northfield-Mount Hermon advanced to the 2010 national prep championship game. He was a McDonald’s All-American nominee following the 2010-11 campaign. Before coming to the United States, Van Nes played Underr-16 championships as a member of the Southampton Trailblazers, which placed third nationally. He played in th e European championships as well for England and averaged 4.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game during the tournament. He netted a personal-high 12 points agaisnt Romania, just missing a double-double with nine rebounds. He just missed double-doubles against Cyprus with nine points and 10 rebounds. He scored in seven of nine games during that tournament. Van Nes was one of the top three English players for his age group in the Jordan Brand Classic which includes the 40 best European players (2008 in Rome). He was also selected for Great Britian’s U-20 team but will forego the opportunity to play at Fairfield University this year.
What they’re saying about Van Nes — Bob Gibbons/All Star Sports: “He’s a big kid, a diamond in the rough. He committed early. He’s true center with the body and the skills.”
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