Rice, Salmons and Jones Named All-BIG EAST

March 4, 2002

NEW YORK, NY (hurricanesports.com) – University of Miami seniorguard John Salmons (Philadelphia, PA) and sophomore forward Darius Rice werenamed second-team All-BIG EAST, while junior forward James Jones (MiamiAmerican) was named third-team All-BIG EAST as selected by the league’scoaches.

Salmons, a two-time BIG EAST Player of the Week selection thisseason, has started all 29 games this season at point guard and is averaging13.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Salmons, a third-team All-Conference selection last season, hasstarted 104 consecutive games for the Hurricanes and is the only player inschool history to surpass 1000 career points (1255), 600 rebounds (667), 400assists (414) and 150 steals (189).

Rice, BIG EAST All-Rookie selection as a freshman last season, leadsthe team in scoring at 15.3 points per game and is second in rebounding at6.1 rebounds per contest. He has recorded 10 games of 20 or more points thisseason, and became the first Hurricane since Eric Brown in 1989 to recordback-to-back games of 30-points or more. His 71 three-point baskets thisseason ranks second on UM’s all-time single season list behind Steven Edwardwho registered 79 treys during the 1992-93 season.

Jones, a 2002 Verizon Academic All-District selection, has been oneof the most improved players in the BIG EAST this season. He is averaging13.2 points, a team-high 6.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.5 blocks per game.Jones’ 73 blocks this season ranks third on UM’s all-time single seasonlist.

Miami opens the ConAgra BIG EAST Championship on Thursday, March 6,2002 at 2 p.m. against the winner of Wednesday’s Georgetown-Providence game.