RUSTON ? Louisiana Tech head coach Chris Long announced Tuesday that he has signed Gulf Coast Community College forward Kim Jones to a national letter of intent.

Jones is a 6-foot-2-inch power forward who has helped lead Gulf Coast to a perfect 8-0 start this year and the No. 1 national ranking, including a 120-70 win over the No.2 ranked team in the country in Trinity Valley.

?We are very excited about signing Kim,? Long said. ?She plays at one of the top junior college programs in the country for a great coach in Roonie Scovel. Gulf Coast and our style of play are very similar so the transition shouldn't be difficult.

?Kim is a very strong post that uses her body very well. She can score on the block and can rebound. The impressive thing is how well she can run the floor. She caught my attention at a practice awhile back and has been playing very good to start the season. This is a big signing for us to go along with three outstanding guards.?

Jones started the first four games of the season and averaged 13.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest while shooting 54 percent from the field and 67 percent from the free throw line. As a freshman at Gulf Coast CC, Jones averaged 5.6 points and 3.7 rebounds a contest while hitting on 52 percent of her field goals and 69 percent of her free throws.

?Kim has a lot of athleticism to play in the post,? said Gulf Coast head coach Roonie Scovel. ?She is a hard worker who is banger inside. She is definitely more of a power player than finesse. I think she?ll be a tremendous asset for Louisiana Tech.?

Jones played for coach Toni Long and Ashley Hardon at Appling County High School in Baxley, Georgia, where she was selected as the most valuable player for the South Team in the North/South Georgia All-Star game.


Kim Jones
6-2, Forward
Baxley, Georgia (Gulf Coast CC)

Junior College: Played two years for Ronnie Scovel at Gulf Coast Community College ? Averaged 5.6 points and 3.7 rebounds as a freshman while helping GCCC to a 27-4 mark and the Pan Handle Conference title ? Averaging 13.0 points and 6.5 rebounds a game through four contests as a sophomore ? High School: Lettered for coach Toni Long and Ashley Hardon at Appling County High School in Baxley, Georgia ?