During July, first-year head coach Matt McCall and the UT-Chattanooga staff made it clear that 2016 Central Park Christian (AL) shooting guard Cairon “CJ” Jones was one of their top priorities. In the end, it paid off for the Mocs.

Jones gave his pledge to the staff after McCall and two assistants visited him at school Friday afternoon.

“Chattanooga just felt like home when I went there to visit,” Jones told HoopSeen.com. “I have a good relationship with the coaching staff, too. Their style of play is the way I like to play.”

Jones is a huge coup for the Mocs. He will have the opportunity to come in and produce right away, as well as having the opportunity to make his name in the SoCon. The 6-foot-4 wing has the ability to make shots from all over the floor and could prove to be a huge steal for UT-Chattanooga.

“The coaches have said I will come in as a freshman and have a major impact on the team, and they feel like I can help get them to the NCAA Tournament. They were more excited than I was when I committed.”

Jones chose UTC over an offer from Middle Tennessee State, as well as interest from La Salle, Memphis, and Texas A&M.

He is the first pledge for McCall in the 2016 class.