Jan. 19, 2007

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Former Syracuse basketball player Mike Jones was admitted to South Carolina on Friday, and could be eligible to play during the second semester of next season.

The 6-foot-8 forward and former South Carolina High School player of the year will have to sit out through the fall semester of the 2007-08 season and would be eligible to play after exams in December.

"I can't tell you how happy I am to be back in Columbia and in school as a Gamecock," Jones said in statement. "I know I have a lot of work ahead of me. But I look forward to the challenge and the opportunity."

South Carolina coach Dave Odom said he could not comment on Jones' status because of NCAA rules.

Jones, a freshman, transferred from Syracuse because he was homesick, coach Jim Boeheim said. He was averaging less than seven minutes a game.