DETROIT (5/19/2016) -- Offense may win games, but defense wins championships and that is the key for the latest signing for the University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball team as head coach Bacari Alexander '99 announced the addition of 6-11, 240-lb center Isaiah Jones (Antelope, Calif. / Center / Mt. San Jacinto College). Jones will have two years of eligibility at Detroit Mercy.  
 
"Isaiah is a very mature kid who has Midwest roots and played for a winning coach in Patrick Springer," said coach Alexander. "His passion to improve as a player and person is what stood out the most in our evaluation of him. As a premier defender and rebounder with size, he comes from another winning program at Mt. San Jacinto, and it is another position we needed to develop some depth and size."
 
Jones attended Mt. San Jacinto College in San Jacinto, Calif., playing from 2013-2015 before finishing up his academic work and working through an injury this past season. In his two years on the court, he was a part of 48 total wins for the Eagles as the squad posted back-to-back Pacific Coast divisional titles and appearances in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) regional tournament.
 
In 2014-15, Jones was tabbed Second Team All-Pacific Coast after averaging 5.6 points and 5.4 rebounds to go along with his league-leading and school-record 3.0 blocks per game. The team's Defensive Player of the Year, he also ranked fifth in the state in blocks and shot 69.2 percent from the field as Mt. San Jacinto College registered a 23-8 overall record to finished the season ranked No. 18 in the state.
 
As a freshman in 2013-14, he helped the team to a 25-5 overall mark and a run to the CCCAA state championship semifinals. He played at center in high school in Antelope, Calif., and tallied 9.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game as a senior.
 
"With Isaiah and Dre Black, these two additions allow us to add immediate collegiate experience and maturity to our locker room. As we identify prospects that can help enhance our culture, these two student-athletes have all the elements of what we want," added coach Alexander.
 
Season tickets for men's basketball will go on sale on July 1. For more information on tickets, contact Director of Ticket Operations & Sales Kendall Acho at 313-993-1700 ext. 7301 or at kendall.acho@udmercy.edu.