What Next for Jointer
Mario Jointer may have committed to South Alabama in the fall, but the high scoring 6-2 shooting guard from Chipola never signed a letter of intent with the Sun Belt program.
In its recent trip to the Florida JUCO Shootout, JUCO Junction confirmed Jointer's status with Chipola Head Coach Chris Jans.
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"Mario didn't sign early with South Alabama, but he still has a lot of work to do in the classroom," Jans explained. "He did a good job the first semester and put himself in a position to graduate."
Even so, Jointer will still need the summer to graduate, regardless of how well he does in the spring semester. And it goes without saying that he has little margin for error this semester as Chipola hits the meat of its Panhandle Conference schedule.
The fact that Jointer didn't sign early also mitigates South Alabama's risk. Jointer could still sign with the Jaguars this spring, assuming both parties are still on the same page come April and Mario continues to take care of business in the classroom at Chipola.
Elite Division II and NAIA programs will also keep tabs on Jointer's status this spring should he fall short academically.
A native of Jackson, Miss., Jointer played two years ago at Okaloosa-Walton C.C. in Niceville, Fla., a Pandhandle rival of Chipola. Former Okaloosa-Walton Asst. Coach Isaac Brown had a big hand in signing Jointer three years ago out of high school, and Brown is now an assistant coach at South Alabama.
Jointer spent last year at Northwest Mississippi C.C., but was unable to play for the Rangers due to state eligibility rules.
Jointer has picked up right where he left off two years ago at O-W. He's the Indians leading scorer this season, pouring in points at an 18.6 clip, to go along with 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest.
A streaky shooter who can take over a game when his trey is falling, Jointer has knocked down 81 three pointers at a 44 percent success rate.
JUCO Junction will keep an eye on Jointer's situation as it unfolds this winter and into the spring. Stay tuned.