UTPA men's basketball opens exhibition slate

EDINBURG — ChaRunn Jones jumped at the opportunity to play men’s basketball for the University of Texas-Pan American.

Competing at the Division I level had always been a dream of his even if it meant playing for a school located in deep South Texas.

His dream will become reality when UTPA plays host to St. Edward’s University in an exhibition game at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the school’s Field House.

“My dad didn’t get to play Division I basketball,” Jones said about his father C.J. “That was his dream. He had some setbacks. He is kind of living that dream through me. He had me working out crazy all the time, shooting jump shots. (Today) is a big day for my family and for me.”

Last season, Jones was playing in the junior college ranks for Pasadena City College in California.

Jones is not a player that too many D-I schools took a long look at. But Broncs coach Ryan Marks said he is an impact player.

“I think something you always have to put into the formula of success for a student athlete is their real desire to be in the place they’ve chosen,” Marks said. “Recruiting is an interesting process. Depending on who you ask, some kids are over exposed and some are under exposed.”

Another player that didn’t have too many D-I offers thrown his way was Aaron Urbanus. The Austin Bowie graduate refused to play for a school in a lower division and said he would have rather walked on and earned a scholarship than to have played D-II.

Marks showed interest in Urbanus when he coached at St. Edward’s last season, which carried over to when he took over for UTPA.

Marks said the 6-foot, 147-pound freshman should receive playing time this season. Part of the reason Urbanus wanted to play D-I badly was because his older brother Zach is a junior on The Citadel men’s basketball team.

“We have always wanted to play D-I,” Urbanus said. “I had some D-II offers but I didn’t want to go.”

Peter Rasmussen covers UTPA athletics for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448.