14-The Michigan DaiySummer Weekly-Wednesday, May5,1993 Blue makes notable French connection Fisher acquires heralded Saint Jean of Versailles after losing Californians Jones, O'Bannon By KEN DAVIDOFF the Atlantic to snare -foot-7 Olivier School and Sylvester Ford of Mem- announced yesterday thathewouldjoin of Jones to the Trojans. Jones woulk QLsXM~WFM Saint Jean of Versailles, France. phis - were tossed around as possi- his father's good friend Larry Finch at have taken front court time left open The world is Steve Fisher's oyster, To most Michigan fans, Saint bilities to join early signee Bobby Memphis State. by Eric Riley's graduation and Chris or at least his recruiting map. After Jean's signing will likely come as a Crawford oflHouston. However, both All of these occurrences led to Webber's possible departure to the losing California frontcourt player surprise. Throughout the entire sea- Jones and OBannon elected to stay Fisher's search formorebodies, andhis NBA. Avondre Jones to USC, the Michigan son, the same three names - Jones close to home, with O'Bannon join- tracking down of Saint Jean. The "It was a big loss to the programr men'sbasketbalbcoachreachedacross andCharlesO'BannonofArtesiaHigh ing his brother Ed at UCLA. Ford Frenchman had made plans to attend nottogetJones,"Gibbonssaid."Whal North Carolina, but the Tar Heels ran was the most formidable line in the out of scholarships when they signed country is now down to Juwar renowned center Rasheed Wallace of Howard. Philadelphia. Fisher had not contacted "It's a good recruiting class, but Saint Jean at all until a few weeks ago. not a great one. If (the Wolverines) "I didn't know if he would be in- had gotten Jones, they would have terested, but I decided to give it a try," moved up to the No. 2 or 3 (recruit- Fisher told the Detroit News. ing) spot in the Big Ten." Now, Gib- Fisher and other coaches saw Saint bons said, Michigan would wind up Jean perform at the Converse ABCD around seventh or eighth in the con- ..__amplastsummer. Only 17 years oldat ference. at3 CEr l the time, the small forward impressed Whenhevisited the Detroit areaa 10 M aynard *a995- many ith his quickness and slashing fw weeks agotopay in Magc' 310 M a n r * 995w0 0 abilities. Roundball Classic at the Palace of "He's a very gifted athlete," Bob Auburn Hills, a high school all-star _-Gibbons of All-Star Sports in Lenoir, game, Jones indicated that Michigan N.C., said of Saint Jean. "He reminds was his first choice. Nevertheless, --me of Ray Jackson. He's garded as whensigning timecamearound,Jones one of the top young players in Europe opted to stay close to home. and the No.1 junior player in France." "I guess when it came right down Nevertheless, Gibbons stressed, to the dotted line, distance came into Saint Jean doesnotmake up for the loss play," Gibbons said. d n is e n it e n It e p I- a s f r n s n Look inside your Riverrain Apartments for Convenience and Luxury Rverrain apartments SLASHED PRICES 1ST Floor - $650.00 2ND Floor - $675.00 3RD Floor - $700.00 FINAL REDUCTIONS 487-9511 STOP BY AND EXPERIENCE THE LUXURY 0