Shaka Smart picked up an important piece for the future Monday ahead of a critical season in Austin.
Kai Jones, a top-75 forward, committed to Smart and Texas, he announced via social media.
“I’d like to thank my mom and dad, who have always been on my side and were my No. 1 supporters from Day 1,” Jones said in his commitment video. “I’d also like to thank coaches and teammates who pushed me and believed in me and always told me that I could do more than I thought. It’s been a great process. I’ve been recruited by top universities and legendary coaches, and I feel truly honored to be considered. However, in the end, I can choose only one.
“I’ll be committing to the University of Texas. Hook ‘em, baby.”
It’s been a long journey! I’ve worked and worked. I’ll be committing to... #ghostprotocol #brewster #242totheworld🌎🇧🇸 #OTWE pic.twitter.com/A8SInzQqFQ
— Kai Jones (@242_jones) October 16, 2018
The 6-foot-10 Jones, who hails from the Bahamas, is a four-star prospect out of the powerhouse prep program Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. He chose the Longhorns after taking official visits to Syracuse, Baylor and Florida State.
While Texas’ results on the floor have been so-so in three years under Smart, the Longhorns have done well on the recruiting trail. That again seems to be the case in 2019 with Jones now joining Donovan Williams, a four-star guard from Texas, in Smart’s next class.
“The relationship I’ve built with the coaches sand the opportunity to come in and make a big impact was too much to pass,” Jones told Rivals. “They showed a sincere interest. They made me a priority down the stretch. They came up to Brewster and when I thought about everything they hadn’t missed anything I did.”