The NCAA Early Signing Period is upon us and will take place between November 8 - 15, next month. While this is the date that top-rated senior basketball prospects will be able to sign a National Letter of Intent (NLOI) with Division-I and Division-II programs, many top prospects in the state's 2024 Class have already given early verbal commitments this fall and even previously. Add two more senior prospects to the list of early signees for November, as AZ Compass Prep recently had two big announcements from their National Team, as 6-foot-3, 185-pound senior guard Del Jones (Clemson commit) and 6-foot-11, 220-pound senior post Ethan Lathan both announced their decisions to commit to two different Division-I programs.
Jones held the spotlight on the campus of AZ Compass Prep, as he announced his decision in fine fashion to play for Clemson University in front of his teammates, students and faculty at his school. A native of Largo, Maryland, Jones came to AZ Compass this prep season, and will provide excellent backcourt support and depth for the loaded AZ Compass Prep National Team. A Top 100-rated prospect, Jones is a skilled point guard prospect with very good size and a strong offensive skillset. He can play both guard positions as needed, and is strong ball handler and passer. Jones can also score off the dribble and make plays for himself and others, and is a strong driver and finisher in the lane. He is crafty in his offensive approach, and has a good perimeter shooting stroke. He is also a fine young man with a good personality. Jones will now play in the ACC next fall.
Jones had a nice list of offers for himself to choose from, before electing for Clemson University. Jones chose Clemson over offers from NC State, Tennessee, Arizona State, Rutgers, Texas Tech, West Virginia, Oregon, Texas A&M, South Carolina, Mississippi State, San Diego, Central Florida, Ole Miss, Xavier, George Washington, Ohio, Bryant, Southeastern Louisiana and Akron.
Ethan Lathan, a talented 6-foot-11 senior post with serious upside for the future, also gave a nice verbal commitment for himself, as he announced his decision to attend Old Dominion University. This is a nice commitment for Lathan, who has excellent promise for the future as a developing low post player. Lathan announced his decision on social media. Lathan has serious upside for the future, as he has excellent size and is mobile with good hands and feet. He is a good athlete for his size and runs the floor hard, while also being a good shot-blocker and active rebounder. He is still raw offensively and needs continued work to develop and maximize his potential as a player, but he will develop nicely over time and has a very bright future ahead of him.
Lathan chose Old Dominion over many other offers from LSU, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Loyola-Chicago, Dayton, UAB, Northern Arizona, Arkansas State, Manhattan, Indiana State and Missouri State.
Both senior prospects will look to sign a National Letter of Intent next month with both respective programs. Congratulations to the AZ Compass Prep basketball programs on two Division-I signees from this year's group, as well as producing two more Division-I players from their program.
