Jones replaces Boone as San Miguel Beer import

Josh Boone FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Despite leading San Miguel Beer to a 2-0 start, former NBA veteran Josh Boone was let go as Kevin Jones was immediately named as the new import of the Beermen Monday.

Boone, who played four seasons for the then-New Jersey Nets, averaged 24 points, 18.5 rebounds (9 offensive boards), 3 assists and 1.5 blocks per game in a brief two-game stint for San Miguel.

The six-foot-nine center Boone was released a day after scoring 32 points on 13-of-19 shooting from the field and hauling down 21 rebounds in a 112-96 whipping of Barangay Ginebra last Sunday.

But Boone’s impressive numbers still weren’t enough to save his job.

“We would like to thank Josh for his effort and professionalism. He showed a lot of heart while wearing a Beermen uniform,” said the team’s official statement.

“Yes. He (Kevin Jones) is officially our new import starting today (Monday),” said SMB head coach Biboy Ravanes.

The 24-year-old Jones played four years of college for West Virginia before going undrafted in the NBA in 2012 and getting called up then waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Jones, listed at six-foot-eight, led the Big East in scoring in his senior year for the Mountaineers.

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