EL PASO, TEXAS - UTEP men’s basketball coach Rodney Terry added 6-foot-4 Grandview point guard, Jordan Lathong on Wednesday, making him the 13th newcomer to Terry’s revamped squad.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to work with an all-around guard in Jordan Lathon,” Terry said. “He’s the kind of ball player who will come in and be a great teammate. He’s a guy who’s going to try to make guys around him better and make our program better.”
Lathon is a highly sought out recruit who had originally signed with Northwestern University. However, he was left a free prospect when, Northwestern revoked his admission.
“Jordan had a chance to win a state championship and we love guys who come from winning programs and a winning background,” Terry said. “We’re excited about the winner that he is and the leadership he possesses.”
The native of Grandview, Mo., who ranks fifth in the state of Missouri by 247sports, played all four years on the varsity squad at Grandview High School and led them to their first-ever state championship last season after rolling to an 81-63 victory against Raytown South on March 17, 2018 in Springfield, Mo. Lathon paced his squad with 24 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field. Lathon also went 9-of-13 from the charity stripe, while adding six rebounds and four assists.
The combo guard, who possesses superior athleticism, averaged 13 points per contest during his senior campaign in 2017-18 and was named to the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA) All-State Basketball team. Lathon, a known down-hill attacker used his playmaking skills to average 7.0 assists, while also pulling down 7.0 rebounds per contest to complement his great basketball IQ. The tenacious defender averaged over two steals per game and blocked 19 shots his senior season.
During Lathon’s play the last two seasons, GHS won back-to-back district and conference titles ranking him no. 137 nationally and no. 27 at his position.
The known hardwood leader was also named Semper Fidelis Player of the Game 10 times between 2016-2018. He dished out a career-high 14 assists, while snagging four steals during a victory against Platte County and added 12 assists to go along with 11 points in a triumph against Logan-Rogersville. Lathon recorded a triple-double during a win against Wyandotte, posting 15 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists.
Lathon hit double-digit points in over half his career varsity games, while tallying nine double-doubles and a triple-double. Lathon averaged 16.5 points per contest during the 2016-17 season and was named first team All-Metro Basketball.
Lathon’s career high in points came during his junior season when he poured in 34 points, while adding 10 boards, five steals and four assists against Ruskin. Lathon snagged five more steals against Kearney, along with scoring 18 points and blocking a pair of shots. Lathon posted 23 blocked shots during the 2016-17 campaign, including a career-high five against Raytown South.
For his career in 81 varsity contests at Grandview HS, Lathon averaged 12 points, over five rebounds, more than four assists and two steals. Lathon’s defensive presence was apparent as he blocked 63 shots and registered 152 total steals during his varsity career. Lathon posted two or more steals in 45 career varsity contests that led to multiple transition points.
Lathon who will have four years of eligibility with UTEP along with 13 newcomers who will be joining this upcoming Miner team.Lathon was recruited by multiple Power Five programs, including Illinois, Iowa State, Louisville, Nebraska, Northwestern, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon State and Texas A&M
https://www.minerrush.com/2018/8/10/17674832/miners-welcome-top-four-star-recruit-jordan-lathon-to-mens-basketball13 players plus Lathon must mean Deon Stroud is eligible to play. Take a look at the roster.
https://utepathletics.com/roster.aspx?roster=1136&path=mbball