Rice Men's Basketball Announces the Signing of Three Players to NLIs for the 2022-23 school year

POSTED: November 11, 2021 -- 11:03 a.m. CT

Thursday morning, Rice men's basketball coach Scott Pera announced the signing of three players to national letters-of-intent for the 2022-23 school year.

Forward Andrew Akuchie (6'9", Fort Lauderdale, FL) and guards Mason Jones (6'3", Chicago, IL) and Mekhi Mason (6'5", Gilbert, AZ) all signed with the Owls for the 2022-23 athletic year.

"Today, we have signed three terrific young men and outstanding basketball players," Coach Pera said. "Mekhi Mason, Andrew Akuchie and Mason Jones each bring characteristics that fit what we look for in our student-athletes. Mekhi is a versatile wing that can play multiple positions and has a skill set that will flourish in our system. He can make plays with the ball in his hands and can also knock down three-pointers. He also has the chance to be an elite defender in his time here. Andrew is a long and athletic front court player that will help us with his ability to finish and protect the rim at the defensive end with his shot blocking and quick jump ability. He can also stretch the floor and knock down threes which will help him fit our system immediately. Mason Jones is a guard that is a ball-hawk defender. He plays with a toughness and edge that will help us grow at the defensive end of the floor. He is also a talented playmaker and is terrific in transition with the basketball. I cannot wait to add these three fine young men to our program as we continue to build and look to a bright future."

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Akuchie played for Julius Sandi at St. Thomas Aquinas where he helped the Raiders to a 9-4 record. He averaged 16.0 points per game last year while adding 8.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists while earning Second Team All-Broward County Boys Basketball 7A-5A honors.

Mason played for Ed Gipson at Arizona Compass Prep, where he helped them to a 28-2 record, including a perfect 7-0 in the Skyline Education Conference. He is a four year player for the Dragons, making Second Team All-Conference as a sophomore, averaging 15.0 points per game, 5.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds. He was named to the 2021 Pangos All-American Festival Midwest team, where he averaged 10.5 points.

Jones is playing his prep ball at Link Year Prep in Branson, MO, which is ranked ninth in the country. So far this year, he is averaging 16.0 points, 5.5 steals, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Jones graduated from Bogan High School in Chicago, IL, where he was a member of the Bengals' 3A state runner-up team. As a junior, he helped lead the team to the sectional and regional championships before the state championships were canceled due to COVID-19. In his career, Jones averaged 14 points, five assists, five steals and four rebounds.

Rice's next game is this Friday, November 12, when it faces crosstown rival and 14th-ranked Houston at the Fertitta Center.

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