Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Tyus Jones has no official school list yet but the 2014 point guard told SNY.tv several schools are working very hard right now.
“Michigan State, Ohio State, Minnesota, Baylor, Indiana, Duke, Arizona, those are kind of the ones that are showing the most interest,” the 6-foot-1 Jones said from the USA U17 practices in Colorado Springs, Colo.
He said Duke, Michigan State, Kentucky, Kansas, Baylor, Indiana, Ohio State, Minnesota and Nebraska all reached out after midnight last Friday, when coaches were permitted to contact rising juniors and seniors.
Jones said all of the aforementioned schools have offered him a scholarship except for Kentucky, Kansas and Nebraska.
“I’m open to everything right now,” Jones, out of Apple Valley (Minn.) High, told SNY.tv. “I haven’t started to narrow it down yet.”
Still, Duke and Michigan State are among those that have established strong ties early.
“Coach K called me,” Jones said. “It’s a great feeling. I have a good relationship with Coach K and continue to talk with him. Definitely it’s easier for them being able to reach out now after June 15 so he gave me a call.”
Michigan State is also on his radar.
“I have got a good relationship with [Coach Tom Izzo],” Jones said. “Michigan State’s a great school. I like they’re playing style and everything like that.”
As for Minnesota, he has already visited unofficially and conceded there was pressure at home to consider the Gophers.
“Oh, definitely,” he said. “I think there’s always some pressure to stay at home. Definitely Minnesota and all the Minnesota fans are showing me a lot of support and a lot of love and definitely want me to stay at home. So there’s definitely some pressure I would say.”
Jones made the final 12-man roster for the U.S. U17 team that will compete in the FIBA U17 World Championship in Lithuania.
He injured his shooting thumb during a drill and had to sit out for a bit.
“It’s getting better every day, slowly, slowly getting better,” he said. “It’s tough to play with but I’m making it work.”
For now, Jones is less concerned with his college list and more concerned with winning a gold with Team USA.
“That’s my focus right now,” Jones said. “Just trying to lead this team and be a point guard and a quarterback out there on the floor.”
Photo: USA Basketball
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
Tyus Jones has no official school list yet but the 2014 point guard told SNY.tv several schools are working very hard right now.
“Michigan State, Ohio State, Minnesota, Baylor, Indiana, Duke, Arizona, those are kind of the ones that are showing the most interest,” the 6-foot-1 Jones said from the USA U17 practices in Colorado Springs, Colo.
He said Duke, Michigan State, Kentucky, Kansas, Baylor, Indiana, Ohio State, Minnesota and Nebraska all reached out after midnight last Friday, when coaches were permitted to contact rising juniors and seniors.
Jones said all of the aforementioned schools have offered him a scholarship except for Kentucky, Kansas and Nebraska.
“I’m open to everything right now,” Jones, out of Apple Valley (Minn.) High, told SNY.tv. “I haven’t started to narrow it down yet.”
Still, Duke and Michigan State are among those that have established strong ties early.
“Coach K called me,” Jones said. “It’s a great feeling. I have a good relationship with Coach K and continue to talk with him. Definitely it’s easier for them being able to reach out now after June 15 so he gave me a call.”
Michigan State is also on his radar.
“I have got a good relationship with [Coach Tom Izzo],” Jones said. “Michigan State’s a great school. I like they’re playing style and everything like that.”
As for Minnesota, he has already visited unofficially and conceded there was pressure at home to consider the Gophers.
“Oh, definitely,” he said. “I think there’s always some pressure to stay at home. Definitely Minnesota and all the Minnesota fans are showing me a lot of support and a lot of love and definitely want me to stay at home. So there’s definitely some pressure I would say.”
Jones made the final 12-man roster for the U.S. U17 team that will compete in the FIBA U17 World Championship in Lithuania.
He injured his shooting thumb during a drill and had to sit out for a bit.
“It’s getting better every day, slowly, slowly getting better,” he said. “It’s tough to play with but I’m making it work.”
For now, Jones is less concerned with his college list and more concerned with winning a gold with Team USA.
“That’s my focus right now,” Jones said. “Just trying to lead this team and be a point guard and a quarterback out there on the floor.”
Photo: USA Basketball
