LEXINGTON, Ky. — Terrence Jones could be going through a dream season at Kentucky.
His team is undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the nation and he is a likely lottery pick in next year’s NBA Draft.
Yet there is some sadness for Jones because he can’t share the on-court excitement with his close friend and roommate Stacey Poole, who decided last month to transfer.
“I know it’s a tough situation for him and so I just try to be there for him,” Jones said after putting up 26 points and 9 rebounds in No. 1 Kentucky’s 81-59 rout of St. John’s at Rupp Arena.
“I’m happy with whatever school he picks and decision he makes that he feels is best for him.”
Jones and Poole have been through their share of tough times together.
Last month they were the victims of a car accident that occurred just before Kentucky’s season opener, but both escaped with scrapes and bruises.
Jones says no decision has been made about where Poole will go.
“I don’t think he’s chose yet,” Jones said. “I try not to bring it up too much, just because everybody asks me about it. But I know it’s a hard situation right now for him, knowing he doesn’t like thinking about leaving me and all his teammates he’s with now and his friends. I just try to let him be about that and just talk about normal life.”
Kentucky is loaded with talented freshman and sophomores and Poole faced limited playing time with Marquis Teague, Doron Lamb and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist on the team.
Yet Jones feels there was a place for his friend.
“I felt he was going to play a lot,” Jones said. “It just was him not knowing the plays that much last year. When it comes to talent and skill-wise, I felt he had it real down. It was just nervous playing and not really knowing the plays that much.”
So Jones will march forward into Saturday’s heavily anticipated game against No. 5 North Carolina, and whatever the rest of this season brings.
But his good buddy won’t be by his side.
