Utah State basketball: JC transfer from New York to walk on with Aggies

Marvin Jean now has a deeper appreciation for all things basketball, and his own hoops career.

The junior college transfer from New York has enrolled at Utah State, will pay his own way as a walk-on this season, and will receive a scholarship in his second season as an Aggie, Jean told The Tribune on Sunday.

A few days ago, none of this seemed possible. Jean had a hang-up with a grade that prevented him from being on scholarship this season. Without that, he was close to enrolling at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, taking a scholarship there, and playing Division II hoops. Good, but not nearly good enough for someone with his talent.

"My heart sank when I received that phone call a month ago," Jean told The Tribune. "I thought my dreams of playing great college basketball were over."

Jean called the coaching staff, and offered to pay his own way. Initially, he was rebuffed by coach Stew Morrill. But he's eligible to play, and Morrill had a change of heart. Jean will arrive in Logan on Tuesday and will be ready to play.

His inclusion to the roster is big. Utah State lacked athleticism on the wings last season, and that's precisely what Jean offers. At 6-foot-5, with a left-handed stroke and the ability to play above the rim, Jean reminds many of Pooh Williams, the all-conference defender who graduated with the 2010 class.

tjones@sltrib.comon twitter: @tonyaggieville