Sooners show pregame support for Longhorns guard battling leukemia

The Oklahoma men's basketball team wore commemorative pregame warmup shirts Saturday to show their support for Texas sophomore guard Andrew Jones, who is battling leukemia.

Jones was diagnosed with leukemia in January after he had shown signs of illness and low energy in practice and games. He was moved to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston later in the month, where his condition has improved, according to his family.

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"We do want everyone to know that in the last two weeks, Andrew has made some positive strides," his family said in a statement released by the school. "He's even been able to get out of bed and move around some, which is a huge difference from when he was first diagnosed in Austin."

Prior to his diagnosis, Jones was second on the team in scoring, averaging 13.5 points per game. As a McDonald's All-American coming out of MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas, he started to work out over summers with Oklahoma Sooners guard Trae Young. Young told the Tulsa World he spent a Christmas vacation in Dallas working out with Jones and basketball trainer Tim Martin for almost two weeks and texted Jones words of support when the diagnosis first came out.

“It’s very tough hearing what’s going on with him, and I’m praying very hard for him,” Young said.
While the Sooners will be focused on getting their 17th win of the season, the support will still be there, the latest example of support from those around the program, and opposing teams, since Jones's diagnosis.

"We are very appreciative of the outpouring of love and support for Andrew and our family, and we do ask that you continue to keep Andrew in your daily thoughts and prayers," the family said. "We know there’s a long battle ahead, but together we will win this fight