Jones Granted an Extra Year at Fullerton

Derek Jones, the Cal State Fullerton basketball player who missed last season after being seriously injured in a drive-by shooting, has been granted an extra year of eligibility by the National Collegiate Athletic Assn., clearing the way for his return to the team next season, Titan Coach George McQuarn said Monday.

Jones, a starter for the Fullerton basketball team two years ago, did not attend school this year--his final season of eligibility under NCAA rules--as he recovered from injuries sustained in an August shooting incident in Long Beach. But Fullerton appealed to the NCAA to grant Jones an additional year of eligibility because of the circumstances.

McQuarn said the NCAA notified him of its decision by phone.

“We feel real good,” said McQuarn, who has only one starter--Van Anderson--returning from this season’s 12-17 team. “I’m real pleased for Jones in particular. That was a very tragic way for someone to end a college basketball career. It’s certainly very rare for the NCAA to grant an extra year.”

Jones, a 6-foot 7-inch forward, said he was “totally ecstatic” upon hearing the news. He averaged 8.7 points in the 1986-87 season, during which he started 24 of 29 games.

“He’s a kid two years removed from playing,” McQuarn said, “but we don’t have anybody with that kind of experience returning.”

Anderson, the only returning starter, averaged 5.5 points last season.

Jones’ physical ability to play remains uncertain, McQuarn said. His left arm was severely injured and he is a left-handed shooter.

“It’s coming along pretty good,” Jones said of his progress. He has been playing three-to-four times a week at a recreation center in Long Beach, but does not have 100% feeling in his left pinkie.

“I still have a little ways to go with the ballhandling, but I’m learning to compensate with my right hand,” he said. “As far as my jump shot goes--it’s kind of strange--it’s improved.

“With a lot of hard work, I should be 100% satisfied by August. Maybe not 100% like I was before, but satisfied.”

With Fullerton’s lack of experience, McQuarn said Jones is definitely expected to start.

“Coach has big plans,” Jones said. “He’s going to put a lot of weight on my shoulders. I want to play hard and not use the injury as an excuse. I want to get out there and act like it never happened.”