Branford Jones- 6’2” 175 lbs. Point Guard (Fort Bend Elkins) Twitter: @BranfordJones5

Branford Jones has many impressive facets to his game. He is an exceptional on ball defender and can consistently knock down the mid-range jumper as well. He has great potential to be a star at the college level. Jones led his high school team, Fort Bend Elkins, to a solid 27 and 9 record this past season. They were eliminated in the second round of the Texas state tournament February 28. Jones had a very productive season averaging 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. Jones signed his letter of intent to play for Coach Dan Monson and Long Beach State in October of 2011. Jones has all the attributes to be a very successful point guard while at Long Beach State. 

RN: What do you like about the program that Coach Monson is establishing at Long Beach State? 
Jones: They inforced academics first. That’s something I’m big about. Also, I a have very good relationship with the coaching staff. It also makes me comfortable that there are 2 people from Texas there (Kris Gulley and Nick Sheperd).

With Quincy Acy graduating and Perry Jones III likely leaving as well, Baylor will lose at least two of its three members comprising the best frontcourt in the nation. If freshman Quincy Miller leaves too, the Bears will have to start anew, but that wouldn't be too bad, as they have center Isaiah Austin coming in next year.

Austin is a seven-foot center with good athleticism. While he isn't a big, muscular player, he runs the floor incredibly well and is very quick for his size.

Austin is very similar to Jones in the fact that he is a big man with freakish athleticism. He will be the leader of Baylor's frontcourt next year, which will be one of the best in the country again, with Miller, Austin and fellow freshman Ricardo Gathers.

Austin is going to have to play a major role for Baylor, and he is the early favorite for Big 12 Freshman of the Year.

Danuel House is an athletic shooting guard/small forward who will be the star in Houston next year. He is going to have to shoulder the load for Houston next year, and his impact needs to be immediate for the Cougars' sake.

House is a great slasher, and he has good range. He has the ability to drop 30 points in a game, and when he is moving to the rim, he is incredibly effective.

His athleticism serves him well on the defensive end as well, as he is a good man-to-man defender and can play a zone too. While he needs to improve his consistency and range, he has what it takes to be a star.

Two Dallas/Fort Worth area players were named finalists for two of the most prestigious honors in high school basketball.

Arlington Grace Prep center Isaiah Austin and THESA guard Moriah Jefferson were named finalists for the boys and girls Naismith high school player of the year on Monday.

Austin, the 7-1 center signed with Baylor, is one of four boys finalists, alongside 
St. Anthony's (Jersey City, N.J.) forward Kyle Anderson, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) forward Shabazz Muhammad and The Tilton School (Everett, Mass.) center Nerlens Noel.

Jefferson, a 5-5 guard signed with Connecticut , is one of five girls finalists, with Cicero-North (Syracuse, N.Y.) forward Breanna Stewart, Bolingbrook, Ill. forward Morgan Tuck, Niles West (Skokie, Ill.) guard Jewell Loyd and Whitney Young (Chicago) guard Linnae Harper.

The winners will be recognized Mar. 22 at a banquet in Atlanta. Previous winners include stars like Jason Kidd, Kobe Bryant , LeBron James , Candace Parker and Maya Moore.

Tamika Catchings is the only area player to have ever been named Naismith's high school player of the year. She won the award in 1997, in her senior season at Duncanville. Catchings later won the Naismith womens college player of the year in 2000, while at Tennessee.