Maurice Jones won't play for Iowa State

AMES, Iowa (AP) -- Point guard Maurice Jones won't play for Iowa State next season after the Cyclones lost an appeal with the NCAA over his eligibility.

Iowa State spokesman Mike Green says Jones wasn't academically eligible to play when he left USC in early September.

The Cyclones signed Jones to a financial aid agreement in October, and the school had hoped to restore Jones' eligibility by the second semester of next season.

Green says the NCAA cited Jones' previous ineligibility in denying the appeal.

Jones averaged 13 points and 3.5 assists as a sophomore for the Trojans last season.

The Cyclones moved quickly to fill the void, signing Northeast (Neb.) Community College point guard K.J. Bluford. Bluford is averaging 18 points a game this season.

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