Plymouth Raiders sign Mersey Tigers guard James Jones

Jones was part of the GB team which played at Eurobasket this year

Plymouth Raiders have signed Mersey Tigers guard James Jones after releasing Belgian guard Sebastien Maio from his contract.

Jones was part of the Tigers side that won the BBL Trophy, Play-offs and Championship last season.

Jones, 27, has won seven trophies since 2008 with the Tigers and Guildford Heat and averaged 12.7 points, 4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game last season.

Maio was released after not impressing the club's coaches.

"He wasn't the player we were looking for," chief executive Dave Briggs told BBC Devon.

But head Gavin Love was full of praise for new 6ft 4in signing Jones, who was part of the GB team that competed at the recent Eurobasket Championships.

"He's tall, a good defensive player and has been one of the premier shooting guards in the league since he returned from college in the USA.

And Jones said he was looking forward to linking up with his new team-mates.

"I've heard a lot of good things about coach Love and the whole of the Raiders organisation, and can't wait to get started with the team, it's going to be a great season."