Aggies sign transfer and a high school standout

GREENSBORO, April 12, 2007 – North Carolina A&T head basketball coach Jerry Eaves announced the signing of two players to letters of intent on Wednesday. Ed Jones and Kam Shepherd have agreed to join an improving Aggies program next season.  

Jones is a 6-foot-7 transfer out Butler Community College in Eldurado, Kansas. He averaged 10.0 points and 4.0 rebounds last season. As a prep standout in his hometown of Leesburg, Va., Jones attended Notre Dame Academy where he averaged 19.0 points and 8.0 rebounds. Jones also hit 25 3-pointers last season. Eaves said he will either play the small or power forward positions.

“Ed is extremely athletic and his quick off his feet,’’ said Eaves. “He can knock down the 15-to-18 foot jump shot and he is the perfect fit for the style I like to play. Averaging 10 points in the league he played in translates to 20-23 points in our league, so he is a young man who can put the ball in the basket. He is built in the mold of Greg Roberts with the ability to score the ball.”

Shepherd is a 6-8 power forward out of Orlando, Fla. He averaged 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds at Osceola High School. He had a 28-point game during the season.

“I think I stole one with Kam coming in,’’ said Eaves. “When he comes in, he will be the most skilled big man we have. He can catch the ball off the rim and dunk it, he can play at the top of our press and he can really score the basketball. He can really do it all – dribble, pass and shoot.”

The Aggies will lose starters Walter Booth and Greg Roberts before the 2007-08 season begins. But they return one of the best reserves in the country in Steven Rush who was a first-team All-MEAC selection. Including Rush, Eaves will have an experienced roster next season with seven seniors expected to suit up. The Aggies finished tied for third in the MEAC last season with a 10-8 record.

“Good shooting wins games,’’ said Eaves. “Now that we have our program established we must continue to recruit players who can put the ball in the basket. I think we are bringing in two young men that can do that for us.”