The best high school dunker in the nation signs with UNLV

Derrick Jones, ranked among the top prep basketball players in the country, made if official Thursday, signing a national letter of intent with UNLV.

Jones, a 6-foot-7-inch, 190-pound small forward from Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor, Pa., plans to enroll at UNLV this summer.

“We are excited that Derrick is a Runnin’ Rebel,” UNLV coach Dave Rice said in a news release announcing the commitment. “He is an explosive offensive player and will develop into a lockdown defender. He brings a winning attitude and is a fantastic teammate.”

Jones averaged 18.2 points per game as a senior and scored 1,645 points, collected 1,029 rebounds and blocked 268 shots in his high school career. ESPN ranked him as the 27th-best player overall and the third-best small forward in this year’s recruiting class. Jones became a YouTube sensation winning the dunk contest at a competition in Indiana earlier this month.