Hofstra among the schools that have inquired about Lamont “Momo” Jones. Arizona transfer Lamont “Momo” Jones cannot enroll at St. John’s this year because Moe Hicks is on staff, according to an NCAA rule implemented in 2010. According to a St. John’s source, rule 11.4.2, essentially says that until two years after a non-coaching staff member has been employed any student-athlete that’s been coached by that staff member cannot be recruited. And if that student-athlete were to enroll at that institution, they would be declared permanently ineligible. NCAA spokesman Chuck Wynne was not immediately available for comment Tuesday. Hicks coached Jones for two years at Rice High School before Jones left Rice to spend his junior season at American Christian (Pa.). He finished up at Oak Hill Academy. Hicks was hired at St. John’s on June 1, 2010, meaning St. John’s could not bring in any of his former players until June 1, 2012. After the hiring, it was understood that St. John’s could not recruit a player such as Kadeem Jack or Jermaine Sanders , who both starred at Rice under Hicks. Jack ultimately landed at Rutgers and Sanders at Cincinnati. Even if Hicks were to leave for another job, St. John’s would still be prohibited from recruiting one of his former players, the St. John’s source. The New York Post reported recently that it was a done deal that Jones would transfer to St. John’s, and at least one national pundit blindly concurred. In today’s editions, the Post said the situation is now in flux because of the rule. Dermon Player , the former St. John’s and Seton Hall assistant who is advising Jones on his transfer, said St. John’s, Seton Hall, UConn, Hofstra and Iona are among the schools that have inquired about Jones, who said he wanted to transfer to be closer to his Harlem home and his ailing grandmother. Player said nothing was done and he was waiting for Jones to return East this week. Both St. John’s and Jones have interest in one another, multiple sources with knowledge said, with one key source adding that the first Post report was “premature.” But if Jones were to spend the upcoming season at another institution and then attempt to enroll at St. John’s in 2012, that might be an option. “There are ways to get this done,” a source with knowledge said. “It depends on how badly both sides want it.” (Photo courtesy Tucson Citizen) Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter And like ZAGS on Facebook  

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NCAA Rule Says Jones Can’t Enroll at St. John’s (UPDATED)