Jones to try out for Virgin Islands national team

Charlotte 49ers 6-10 senior center Phil Jones (Brooklyn, N.Y.) is headed to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands after being invited to try out for the Virgin Islands national basketball team. The Virgin Islands national team will be competing in the FIBA Americas Senior Men’s Championship, Aug. 26-Sept. 6.

"It means alot to be selected for something like this," said Jones, whose mother, now deceased, lived in the Virgin Islands. Jones spent part of his childhood growing up in the Virgin Islands.

"I look at the Virgin Islands as a second home. When I first got the call I was excited. Words can’t describe it. It’s an honor to represent myself and my family and to compete for a national team."

Jones will travel to St. Thomas on Wednesday in hopes of making the national team. Once on the team he will compete in the FIBA Americas Championship. The top teams from the tournament will qualify for the 2012 Olympics.

"We congratulate Phil on this great opportunity to represent his family and the Virgin Islands," said 49ers head coach Bobby Lutz. "He is well ahead of pace to regain his fourth year of eligibility and should graduate ahead of schedule which makes this opprotunity possible.

"Phil has worked diligently this summer and is in the best basketball condition of his life so this comes at a great time."

Jones and the 49ers visited St. Thomas in the fall of 2007 when the 49ers competed in the Paradise Jam tournament. Jones, who has lost 15 pounds from his playing weight of 270 a year ago, more than doubled his scoring average from his first season to average 7.3 points and 4.2 rebounds for the 49ers last year. He shot .472 from the floor and added a team-best 43 blocked shots.