Bulls play the waiting game with center Jones

The rollercoaster continues for Franklin Jones, and according to his father, Clifford Jones, USF remains along for the ride.

The 6-foot-11 center from Niagara Falls, N.Y., was a reported commitment to USF last October, but academic deficiencies had him ticketed for prep school. That prep school eventually turned out to be basketball factory Mount Zion Academy in North Carolina, but it was an experiment that was short-lived and one that ended in controversy.

"I guess you could say they sold us the Brooklyn Bridge. You know that old saying, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is? That's what happened to Franklin at Mount Zion. And I heard stories about others, too," Clifford Jones said.

"Franklin told them he was committed to South Florida, but they had other plans. The coaches at Mount Zion were interested in sending him overseas (to play professionally). That's all they ever talked about."

So Jones had a brief and somewhat costly trip to North Carolina before departing and returning home to Niagara Falls High School. None of his classroom work at Mount Zion proved viable, so he's back enrolled at NFHS, still chasing eligibility. The good news is, according to Niagara Falls High head coach Dan Bazzani, Jones seems to be pointed in the right direction academically and is making steady progress.

Clifford Jones said his son will likely graduate in June and is closing in on a passing standardized test score. If things work out as planned, he will then head for USF.

"I'm just thankful for the coaches there. They've been real patient and they said they're holding a scholarship for Franklin if he makes it," Clifford Jones said. "I think there's someone at the school (NFHS) who sends USF an update on his grades every week to make sure. That's the main focus right now – making sure Franklin gets his grades."

Jones remains solidly interested in the Bulls. Upon his return to Niagara Falls, other schools – including UTEP – attempted to get back into the recruiting picture, but Clifford Jones said Franklin told potential suitors that, "he has his eye on South Florida."

In the meantime, Jones continues to seek eligibility and is keeping his basketball skills sharpened by playing daily with friends at the local YMCA and Boys Club. He has also been doing consistent weight training to add strength and definition to his 260-pound frame, Clifford Jones said.

"We've watched three or four (USF) games on TV this year and they can use a big man. We watched them play Villanova tough, but they just didn't have enough," Clifford Jones said. "The Big East is big time and they're going to be a strong program. That's what Franklin is thinking."