Texas is a finalist for Coastal Carolina G DeVante’ Jones ahead of Saturday decision

Chris Beard and the Texas Longhorns could be days away from landing another monumental transfer with Coastal Carolina Chanticleers transfer guard DeVante’ Jones set to announce his decision on Saturday, according to 247Sports.

The 6’1, 200-pounder from New Orleans who won Sun Belt Player of the Year honors for his performance during the 2020-21 season will decide between Texas, Memphis, Michigan, and Texas Tech, setting up a showdown between Beard and his former assistant Mark Adams, now the head coach in Lubbock.

“They got three good guards and I can be that fourth guard so that can be a good fit. I like how they have an amazing fan base,” Jones said of the Longhorns. “I also like coach Beard being there. I spoke with him and got a good feel for him and what he got planned for me. They explained how I would be a more dominant ball handler and help create by making plays for myself and others. I would be creating for guys like Courtney Ramey and Andrew Jones. Sometimes I would move to the two and play alongside guys like Devin Askew. I haven’t spoken to any of the guys on the team yet but I know that can be a good fit as well.”

Jones averaged 19.3 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, and 2.8 steals per game last season, so he’s a unique talent who can shoot, he’s a high-level scorer, he rebounds bigger than his size, and he’s an excellent defender.

After declaring for the NBA Draft several weeks ago, Jones instantly began one of the most coveted players in the NCAA transfer portal and originally intended to wait to make a decision, but with so much movement around college basketball, spots at the top programs are quickly diminishing.

Jones admitted that he’s already made his choice based on the system that he feels best fits him. But the college basketball world will have to wait a few more days to find out which school he’s chosen.

Texas has been one of the most successful programs in the transfer portal, already landing signatures from former Kentucky point guard Devin Askew, former Utah forward Timmy Allen, former Creighton forward Christian Bishop, and former Vanderbilt forward Dylan Disu.

Landing Jones could be the piece that turns the Longhorns into a legitimate contender in 2021-22.