Nov. 11, 2010

OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss men's basketball team has received national letters of intent from four high school seniors, including three from the state of Mississippi, head coach Andy Kennedy announced Thursday.

Magnolia State natives Aaron Jones (Pascagoula), Jarvis Summers (Jackson) and Ladarius “Snoop” White (McComb), as well as Searcy, Ark., native Jamal Jones, will join the Rebels for the 2011-12 academic year.

“We are very excited to be bringing these four young men into our program,” Kennedy said.

Aaron Jones, Summers and White were all chosen as part of the 2010-11 “Dandy Dozen” by the Clarion-Ledger. It is the first time Ole Miss has ever signed three Dandy Dozen picks straight out of high school in the same year.

The last time the Rebels welcomed three in-state signees in the same class was in 2000 (Aaron Harper, Justin Reed, David Sanders).

2010-11 Ole Miss Basketball Signing Class:

Aaron Jones | F | 6-8 | 202 | Pascagoula, Miss. | Gautier HS
Jamal Jones | F | 6-8 | 186 | Searcy, Ark. | Searcy HS
Jarvis Summers | G | 6-4 | 182 | Jackson, Miss. | Provine HS
Ladarius White | G | 6-4 | 205 | McComb, Miss. | McComb HS

Aaron Jones

Jones is an athletic 6-foot-8, 202-pound forward out of Gautier High School near Pascagoula. Playing for coach Keith McQueen, he averaged 19 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and four blocks last year, helping the Gators to a 17-11 record and the first round of the South 5A playoffs. He was honored as the 2009-10 district player of the year and is rated a 3-star prospect by Rivals.com. He is known as a versatile player who can step outside and make long jump shots and use his 7-foot-2 wingspan to help him block shots at the rim. He chose Ole Miss over Mississippi State, Memphis, Florida, UTEP and Baylor.

“A.J. is an anomaly is today’s recruiting world in that he did not play any AAU basketball over the spring and summer leading into his senior year,” Kennedy said. “He is a long, athletic forward with a very high skill level. We are very excited about his future at Ole Miss.”

Jamal Jones

A 6-foot-1 point guard when he began high school, Jones has grown and developed into a 6-foot-8, 186-pound wing who still has a point guard’s handle and floor vision. A senior at Searcy High School in Searcy, Ark., Jones averaged 16.4 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals last season. He is a two-time all-conference selection under coach Jimmy Summers and is rated a 3-star prospect by Rivals.com. He chose Ole Miss over Arkansas State and Iowa State. He played for Team Arkansas in AAU ball.

“Jamal is as talented athletically as anyone we’ve brought on this campus,” Kennedy said. “At 6-8 he brings great size to our perimeter. His upside is off the charts!”

Jarvis Summers

A 6-foot-4, 182-pound point guard, Summers is the latest product in a long line of basketball standouts from Provine High School in Jackson. Playing for coach Luther Riley, Summers has helped Provine reach the state championship game in all three years he has been there, including a state title his freshman season. Last year, he averaged 11.2 points, six assists and five rebounds en route to All-Metro honors. He scored a career-high 30 points in a North 5A victory over Ridgeland that clinched a berth in the state tournament. He chose Ole Miss over Oklahoma State, UTEP and Murray State. He joins the likes of former Rebels Aaron Harper, Justin Reed and David Sanders who brought their talents to Ole Miss from Provine.

“Jarvis is a winner,” Kennedy said. “He has all the intangibles that you look for in a point guard – great hands, vision/feel, poise, command. He will arrive on campus 'game ready.’”

Ladarius “Snoop” White

White is a 6-foot-4, 205-pound guard who led Hilton Harrell’s McComb High School team to the 5A semifinals and a No. 5 ranking in 5A last year. He averaged 23 points, eight rebounds and four assists as a junior after putting up 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists per game as a sophomore. His career high of 43 points came against Mendenhall. The combo guard with a 6-foot-11 wingspan was the 2009-10 district player of the year. He played AAU ball with the Jackson Tigers and chose Ole Miss over Mississippi State, LSU and Baylor.

“Snoop is a very talented lead guard with exceptional length,” Kennedy said. “His versatility will allow him to help us at multiple positions from the first day he steps on campus.

“All four of these players play for outstanding coaches who are laying the foundation for their future success. The fact that three of the four are from our state makes it even more special.”

Ole Miss tips off the 2010-11 season on Friday against Arkansas State. Game time is 7 p.m. at Tad Smith Coliseum.