DENTON, Texas – Boasting one of the nation’s top recruiting classes, Johnny Jones and the North Texas men’s basketball team take the floor for their first practice of the season on Friday, Oct. 14 at 5 p.m.
Winners of at least 20 games in each of the last five seasons, the Mean Green features a host of Dallas area talent, including U19 Team USA star Tony Mitchell and all-state standouts Jordan Williams (Kimball HS) and Chris Jones (Lakeview Centennial HS).
Jones, who ranks as the nation’s 42nd longest tenured coach, enters his 11th season in Denton with what is being called the best incoming class in school history. Hoopscooponline.com ranked Jones’ haul No. 31 in the country prior to the additions of Mitchell, Oklahoma State transfer Roger Franklin, French National team standout Niko Stojilkovic and the SWAC’s leading rebounder in Grambling State transfer Justin Patton.
Back for his senior season is Kedrick Hogans, who looks to make his charge up the program's blocked shots record.
NT has been to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament finals in three of the last five years – including the last two – and played in the 2007 and 2010 NCAA Tournament.
The Mean Green opens the 2011-12 season against St. Gregory at the Super Pit on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.
