FORMER MU RECRUIT MAY WIND UP AT SOUTHEAST

Nyah Jones, who was recently granted a release from his commitment to the University of Missouri basketball program, is reportedly considering Southeast Missouri State University.

Jones, a 6-foot-11 center-forward from Montreal, committed to Missouri last November during the early signing period when Norm Stewart was the Tigers' coach.

Missouri officials this week confirmed that Jones asked for a release from his commitment earlier this month and it was granted.

Jones averaged seven points and four rebounds per game last season for a balanced Meridian (Miss.) Community College team that finished fifth in the National Junior College Athletic Association Tournament.

Jones and Meridian teammate Tajudeen Soyoye, a 6-9 forward who was named a junior-college All-American, both signed with Missouri last November. Soyoye will apparently remain at Mizzou and play for new Tigers' coach Quin Snyder.

Because Jones was granted his release from Missouri, he will be eligible to play for another school during the 1999-2000 season. Jones visited the Southeast campus last weekend.

Southeast has one scholarship available after it was recently learned that 7-2 center Kostas Avgerinos of Athens, Greece, who signed with the Indians earlier this year, will not be eligible for the coming season because he did not meet NCAA initial eligibility requirements.

It is not yet certain whether Avgerinos will attend Southeast during the 1999-2000 school year while sitting out the season or if he will opt to play for a junior college or prep school.