TALLAHASSEE, Florida – Florida A&M head basketball coach Robert McCullum wasted no time preparing for the 2017-18 season. Today FAMU Athletics announced the signing of two players to the Rattler basketball squad.
Forward Darian Jones is a transfer from Tulane University. Jones will come in as a sophomore after playing sparingly for the Green Wave last season. Out of high school, Jones averaged a double-double. He earned All-District honors while also averaging three blocks per game.
McCullum welcomes Jones' athleticism to the squad. “We're elated to add Darian (DJ) Jones a 6'9”, transfer from Tulane University, and Kamron Reaves, 6'1 from Champaign, IL.
DJ, played sparingly last season at Tulane as he lacked the physical strength and weight necessary to play in the AAC. But what he doesn't lack is athleticism. His ability to run & jump sets him apart from most players his size and is what attracted him to the Tulane coaching staff. He averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks as a high school senior. He was named 1st Team All District, 2nd Team All Region, and Honorable Mention All-State. In addition to “DJ's” athleticism, his versatility and tremendous upside is what gets me so excited. We can play him in different positions on both ends of the court making us much more effective offensively and defensively. He plans to major in engineering, and is the younger brother of the Golden State Warriors 2016 1st Round draft pick Damian Jones who played collegiately at Vanderbilt,” McCullum said.
Point guard Kamron Reaves will be a true freshman from Champaign, IL. Reaves' speed and ability to move the basketball are two of his top qualities. The 6'0” one guard could see action this season.
McCullum felt the team could use the assistance of a pure point guard with great distribution skills.
“Kamron is a point guard who thinks ‘pass first,' understanding the importance of getting his teammates involved, where the ball should go and why. He's very good in transition at advancing the ball via the pass as opposed to over dribbling. His ability to see the floor, and get the ball to open teammates sets him apart. While he thinks pass first, he's very comfortable shooting the three-pointer as he had three games with four three-pointers, and a season high of six in a win vs crosstown rival Champaign Central. Kamron played off the ball his senior year at Centennial high school after transferring across town from Central HS. He averaged 13 points, four assists per game scoring 20 or more six times with a season high of 30 in the first round of the district tournament. He was named to both the All-Conference and All-Area Teams.
Kamron more than held his own last summer at the prestigious Pangos All-American Camp in Cerritos, CA. The camp featured 15 of the nation's top 40 rising seniors, and 40 of the Top 100 players in the 2017 class. Clark Francis of Hoop Scoop Scouting Service rated Kamron the 14th best point guard out of the 24 that made up the 120 player camp,” McCullum said.
McCullum, whose contract was approved by the FAMU Board of Trustees on yesterday, will enter his first campaign this Fall as head coach of the Rattlers. His team will be built on the success of senior Desmond Williams, who is the lead returning player.
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