The Big South Player of the Year entered the transfer portal yesterday and since then he’s had phone calls from head coaches of virtually every big-time basketball program in the country.
Carlik Jones, who led his Radford Highlanders to a 21-11 and 15-3 conference record, averaged 20 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists while earning player of the league honors this past season.
With numbers like that, Jones has immediately vaulted to the top of the available players in the transfer portal and can play almost anywhere he wants during his grad transfer senior year.
In an interview with 247 Sports, Jones said, “The biggest thing is I want to win. I hate losing, so I definitely want to be somewhere that is a winning program. Also, I want to go somewhere with a great culture, where the players can adjust and make winning plays.”
Jones is originally from Cincinnati and many expect him to return to his home to play again, but he said that’s not necessarily true. In addition, West Virginia Head Coach Bob Huggins has a great deal of influence in that area and has already been in contact with Jones about joining the Mountaineers.
According to Jones, he has heard from Arizona, Cincinnati, Gonzaga, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan State, Memphis, Marquette, Ohio State, Oregon, Illinois, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and many others.
While West Virginia already has a great deal of depth at all positions – particularly at the guard position – Carlik Jones is the type of player that doesn’t come along often and would be a welcomed addition to the West Virginia Mountaineers.
