Nov. 11, 2009

George Mason University head men's basketball coach Jim Larranaga is pleased to announce the signing of Jonathan Arledge to a National Letter-of-Intent on Wednesday as the Patriots signed the 6-foot-9, 230-pound forward from Washington D.C. Arledge will matriculate to the university in the fall of 2010 and begin playing for the Patriots in 2010-2011.

Arledge will come to Mason from KIMA (Kamit Institute for Magnificent Achievers) High School where he will be a senior this season. Last year as a junior, he averaged 11.9 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game playing on the wing for Coach Levet Brown.

"Jonathan Arledge is a unique big man," Larranaga said. "At 6'9" and 230 lbs. he has the size and strength to play inside with the best big men in the country. But what makes him special is his velvety smooth soft touch from 3-point range. Jonathan is a very versatile player and a perfect fit for our program. He comes from one of the top up-and-coming high school programs in the area under Coach Levet Brown, KIMA, and is working hard to have a great senior year and college career. We are very excited about having Jonathan and his family join our George Mason family."

Arledge was also recruited by Georgetown, George Washington, Temple, Drexel, Penn State, Providence, VCU, James Madison and Northeastern before deciding on Mason. According to Brown, Arledge has only been playing basketball for four years since transitioning from football, where he was a quarterback.

"He has a lot of room to grow," said Brown. "He has a lot of upside. From what we're hearing (from his doctors), he's going to end up about 6'11". He's a kid who can put the ball on the floor, he's left-handed, he can shoot, and he has great form.

"He has a great attitude."