While the Penn State men's basketball team isn't desperate for some help in the middle, they would certainly welcome it.

The Nittany Lions have only three players on their roster that stand over 6-foot-6. Of those three players, sophomore Brandon Hassell is the most experienced, averaging 16 minutes per game. The other two players are freshmen that don't see significant time.

Help seems to be on the way in prep star Andrew Jones, a 6-foot-8 forward from Abington Friends School in Philadelphia. In only his second year of organized basketball, Jones averaged 12 points, six rebounds and three blocks per game as a First-Team All-League selection.

Although his senior year will only be his third year of competitive basketball, it is obvious to those that have seen Jones play that he is making enormous strides. Joe Dempsey is the head basketball coach at LaSalle College High School and has coached against Jones the past two years.

"He has made tremendous strides from last year to this year," Dempsey said. "In our game against him last year, we felt comfortable leaving him on the wing because he was more of an inside player, but this year he has developed a solid perimeter game."

While Jones may not be an immediate answer to the Nittany Lions, there is no question that he is a gifted player.

"He runs the floor very well and is a very good shot blocker," Abington Friends coach Steve Chadwin said. "He's just learning how to play. This is his third year really of competitive basketball. His best basketball is in the future. He is extremely talented as far as having the potential to be a real solid player. He's a good defender, very team oriented and has strong leadership qualities."

While many are incredibly impressed with his upside on the basketball court there are others who are impressed with Jones as a person.

On a visit to Penn State in October, Jones and his mother met with Steve Manuel to discuss the communications department. He showed DeChellis that he was concerned about more things than just athletics.

"I was asked to meet with Jones and his mother on the day of the football game against Ohio State," Manuel said. "Coach DeChellis wanted me to sell the communications program to him. And when I met him I was blown away. e was not just a kid that wanted to talk all about basketball, he was very interested in what Penn State had to offer academically."

Dempsey sees Penn State as a good place for Jones.

"Penn State will be a great fit for Jones," Dempsey said. "He seems to be a kid that loves the game and is always working hard to get better."