Momo Jones Likely Headed To Celtics

Momo Jones has more reason to celebrate tonight, as MAAC Player of Year is receiving strong interest from Boston Celtics. (Photo courtesy of Iona College)

When Lamont "Momo" Jones arrived at Iona College two years ago, he showed up in New Rochelle amid controversy and criticism. He left two years later with a conference championship, consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, MAAC Player of the Year honors, peace of mind, and most of all, his infant son.

You may be able to add an NBA contract real soon, as SNY's Adam Zagoria reports that Jones will be signed as an undrafted free agent by the Boston Celtics shortly after the draft, once the moratorium on roster transactions is lifted by commissioner David Stern. Jones would become the second consecutive Iona player to follow this road to the NBA, as Scott Machado was signed by the Houston Rockets in the days following the draft, embarking on a rookie season that ended in the Western Conference playoffs as a member of the Golden State Warriors. Zagoria's SNY colleague Josh Newman has now confirmed that Jones will not only sign with Boston, but also play for the Celtics' Summer League team next month.

Jones' senior season goes down in the annals of Iona history as one of the program's best ever, a campaign in which the Harlem product was second in the nation in scoring, averaging 22.6 points per game en route to MAAC Player of the Year and MBWA Haggerty Award honors, capturing both recognitions one year after Machado did the same at Iona. He also averaged 3.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game as the Gaels' point guard, and will be remembered for starting Iona's rally to the NCAA Tournament by overcoming nagging injuries to score 35 points off the bench in the Gaels' 90-86 victory over Loyola, a win that ended a spell in which the Gaels lost six of seven games, each by three points or less.

Please follow A Daly Dose Of Hoops for further updates on Momo Jones during the offseason.