Q&A: Tyus Jones Talks KU/Duke Visits, Nate Mason Commitment and Still Considering U

[GopherHole Staff]

Q&A: Tyus Jones Talks KU/Duke Visits, Nate Mason Commitment and Still Considering U

Q&A: Tyus Jones Talks KU/Duke Visits, Nate Mason Commitment and Still Considering U
By Chris Monter

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/304000?referrer_id=388419

Tyus Jones, a 6-2, 180-pound senior point guard from Apple Valley (MN) High, is ranked as the number four prospect in the Class of 2014, according to ESPN. He visited Kansas and Duke the past two weeks.

GopherHole.com caught up with Jones Sunday after a game in the Minnetonka Fall League to learn the latest on his college recruitment.

Gopher Hole: You just got back from Duke. How was the visit?

Tyus Jones: It was really good. Got to see a game. Got to feel the environment there, so it was a good trip.

Gopher Hole: Did they play an exhibition game?

Tyus Jones: Yes. They played Bowie State.

Gopher Hole: Anything different than what you expected?

Tyus Jones: I was down there last year, so I had seen the campus. I was down there for the Countdown to Craziness (Duke’s Midnight Madness), so it was crazy. The game atmosphere was pretty loud in there and it was good to be there for a game.

Gopher Hole: You went to Kansas the week before that. How was that visit?

Tyus Jones: It was good. I went down there and saw the team’s scrimmage and toured the campus. The three official visits I have taken have been really good visits.

Gopher Hole: You had been to both campuses before your official visits. What were you hoping to learn from the official visits?

Tyus Jones: I had been on both of the campus, so I was just looking for a feel. Just looking for a comfort level. A place where I fit in. I had been to both of the campuses. Seen everything, so I was just looking to have a good time and look for a feel.

Gopher Hole: The early signing period is coming up pretty soon. How close are you to making a decision?

Tyus Jones: I am close. I am going to make it in the beginning of November, so I am trying to decide on a date. I am still going to stick to that plan.

Gopher Hole: So you are to be honest probably down to those three, Baylor, Kansas and Duke for the most part since Minnesota got a commitment from a guard?

Tyus Jones: I am still looking at them. Nate Mason is a great player. That is a great commit for them. He played a lot of “2” guard this summer. I am still considering the Gophers.

Gopher Hole: You played against CP3 All Stars (Nate Mason’s team) twice. Once in Anaheim and once in Augusta. What were your impressions of him?

Tyus Jones: Great scorer. He puts the ball in the basket. He can really shoot it. He just finds a way to score. That is a good commit for them. I am still down to those four and I am just going to play it all the way out.

Gopher Hole: You played Seattle Rotary here over Memorial Day, who had Josh Martin, who also committed to Minnesota? What were your impressions of him?

Tyus Jones: He is a hard worker. He is a scrapper. He plays with a lot of energy, a lot of passion, so that is good.

Gopher Hole: You were in Colorado Springs recently. How was that?

Tyus Jones: It was great. I had a really good time. Played well out there. It was good to get the guys back together and compete, so it was fun.

Gopher Hole: Would you be doing something next summer and playing with Team USA?

Tyus Jones: That was for the Hoop Summit (held in Portland in April). Trying to make that team.

Gopher Hole: Have you thought about maybe taking another official visit, maybe to Minnesota? Has that come up?

Tyus Jones: It has come up a little, but I don’t think that I am going to take an official. I have been on campus a bunch of times unofficially, so I don’t think that I am going to be taking an official.

Gopher Hole: You have played in several late summer and fall events with your Apple Valley team and have not lost yet. How pleased are you with how well you are doing so far?

Tyus Jones: We are playing well. We have a lot to improve on. You’ve got to start somewhere, but I like how we have played and we have just gotten after it. We were physical, which is good to see. There is stuff that we can definitely improve on, but the effort is there.

 

[scher215]

Tyus and his recruitment is very hard to read for me lately. I feel I have been one of the more optimistic he would come here, but I have certainly been having my doubts now and have settled on it being Duke.

In the last week we've had his mom say playing with Okafor eliminates the Gophers. We've then had them both say he is playing with Okafor. He has always seemed a strong Duke lean. This has lead me to essentially give up on him coming here.

On the other hand, he goes out of his way to say he is still considering Minnesota. He has to realize that 99% of the state assumes he is going elsewhere. What is the point now of continuing to say he is considering Minnesota? It can't be to appease the locals since we all seem to know he is leaving. Part of me wonder if he keeps them on his list as an "in case of emergency" team, but if he is deciding very soon there seems to be less chance of an emergency. Maybe he is trying to boost the PR of the school by continuing to mention them? Maybe he and Reid now have a package worked out instead? Rumors have been Okafor is a Kansas lean.

Their (Tyus and Okafor) goal seemed to be to allow them to "enjoy the process" so part of me wonders if this is all just to try and confuse people or is legitimate.

There is my inner questions for the morning, could have easily just summed it up with - I'm confused.

 

[mnsports1]

Tyus and his recruitment is very hard to read for me lately. I feel I have been one of the more optimistic he would come here, but I have certainly been having my doubts now and have settled on it being Duke.

In the last week we've had his mom say playing with Okafor eliminates the Gophers. We've then had them both say he is playing with Okafor. He has always seemed a strong Duke lean. This has lead me to essentially give up on him coming here.

On the other hand, he goes out of his way to say he is still considering Minnesota. He has to realize that 99% of the state assumes he is going elsewhere. What is the point now of continuing to say he is considering Minnesota? It can't be to appease the locals since we all seem to know he is leaving. Part of me wonder if he keeps them on his list as an "in case of emergency" team, but if he is deciding very soon there seems to be less chance of an emergency. Maybe he is trying to boost the PR of the school by continuing to mention them? Maybe he and Reid now have a package worked out instead? Rumors have been Okafor is a Kansas lean.

Their (Tyus and Okafor) goal seemed to be to allow them to "enjoy the process" so part of me wonders if this is all just to try and confuse people or is legitimate.

There is my inner questions for the morning, could have easily just summed it up with - I'm confused.

I think you for sure nailed it, kind of.

 

[mnsports1]

I've had a feeling lately that when it is all done he is going to say MN came in 2nd. It was down to ___________ and the Gophers but he wanted to get out of state...etc. etc. However, my belief is that the Gophers didn't really even come in 4th...

 

[Ron Johnson Super Fan]

On the other hand, he goes out of his way to say he is still considering Minnesota. He has to realize that 99% of the state assumes he is going elsewhere. What is the point now of continuing to say he is considering Minnesota? It can't be to appease the locals since we all seem to know he is leaving. Part of me wonder if he keeps them on his list as an "in case of emergency" team, but if he is deciding very soon there seems to be less chance of an emergency. Maybe he is trying to boost the PR of the school by continuing to mention them? Maybe he and Reid now have a package worked out instead? Rumors have been Okafor is a Kansas lean.

I think you're looking for something that isn't there. He's keeping Minnesota on his list for the same reason that he's always kept Minnesota on his list. It doesn't cost him anything to keep saying we're under consideration until he commits. Unfortunately mnsports1 probably has it right that he'll say we were second even though we never were on the real list of contenders.

 

[The Brain Trust]

Gopher Hole: So you are to be honest probably down to those three, Baylor, Kansas and Duke for the most part since Minnesota got a commitment from a guard?
Nice move by Tyus not biting on this question...Gopher Hole: So you are to be honest probably down to those three, Baylor, Kansas and Duke for the most part since Minnesota got a commitment from a guard? Everybody knows Tyus would not be worried about Mason! But he could have used the "get" to eliminate the Gophs ...but since his interest in the U is sincere didn't

 

[Gopherguy0723]

Gopher Hole: So you are to be honest probably down to those three, Baylor, Kansas and Duke for the most part since Minnesota got a commitment from a guard?
Nice move by Tyus not biting on this question...Gopher Hole: So you are to be honest probably down to those three, Baylor, Kansas and Duke for the most part since Minnesota got a commitment from a guard? Everybody knows Tyus would not be worried about Mason! But he could have used the "get" to eliminate the Gophs ...but since his interest in the U is sincere didn't

Sorry to burst your bubble, but he has zero interest in Minnesota. Mnsports1 has it right. Jones isn't coming here. He never planned to come here. Minnesota probably isn't even his 4th or 5th choice. He's paying lip service. He's been paying lip service for a long time. Don't keep or get your hopes up. It'll make you more bitter when he finally says his destination isn't Minnesota.

 

[BballJones]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but he has zero interest in Minnesota. Mnsports1 has it right. Jones isn't coming here. He never planned to come here. Minnesota probably isn't even his 4th or 5th choice. He's paying lip service. He's been paying lip service for a long time. Don't keep or get your hopes up. It'll make you more bitter when he finally says his destination isn't Minnesota.

Please help me understand why "he's paying lip service"? It benefits no one.

 

[The Brain Trust]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but he has zero interest in Minnesota. Mnsports1 has it right. Jones isn't coming here. He never planned to come here. Minnesota probably isn't even his 4th or 5th choice. He's paying lip service. He's been paying lip service for a long time. Don't keep or get your hopes up. It'll make you more bitter when he finally says his destination isn't Minnesota.

Who said Jones was coming here??? Sorry to burst you bubble but you need to work on your reading comp. skills

 

[OSUfan]

Please help me understand why "he's paying lip service"? It benefits no one.

Does it hurt anyone if that's all he's doing? Not really. Why not keep the Gophers on his list just to keep the locals interested in him - so it benefits someone, namely Tyus Jones, to have Minnesota on his list because Minnesota fans will pay more attention to him and his recruitment. Nobody can reasonably believe that regardless of whether he picks Duke or Kansas that he would truly be snubbing the Gophers - most everyone would look at that and say "oh, Tyus is like most players who will pick the blue blood hoops program instead of the local one" and then move on. And additionally, people could look at the "package" with Okafor and use that as an explanation for him going elsewhere (though I personally feel the influence of the "package" as it pertains to Minnesota is at most marginally relevant because I don't think Tyus ever seriously wanted to play for the Gophers in the first place - certainly he had plenty of time to commit before he planned on being a package with Okafor, and in my opinion even without the package he wouldn't have picked the Gophers).

I don't personally think there's any chance Tyus picks Minnesota, and I don't think it makes one bit of a difference who the coach is, what the playing style is, or how hard he was recruited.

 

[BarnBoy]

Please help me understand why "he's paying lip service"? It benefits no one.

It benefits him. You don't break up with your girlfriend until the car is actually on it's way to college. He's going to get flak for choosing an out-of-state program either way... he's just delaying the inevitable.

[EDIT]: Can't say I blame him.

 

[Miles Tarver]

why the f*ck can't Gopherhole finally ask him how he is considering the Gophers if he plans to play with Okafor

 

[MadtownGopher]

why the f*ck can't Gopherhole finally ask him how he is considering the Gophers if he plans to play with Okafor

His mom answered that question by basically saying yeah if he plays with Okafor he won't be playing at Minnesota.

 

[GophersOnTheRise]

why the f*ck can't Gopherhole finally ask him how he is considering the Gophers if he plans to play with Okafor

This has been asked and truthfully answered already. Don't you think it might be possible that he fully intends on playing with Okafor, but realizes that there is a small chance it won't work out? There are very few things in life that are 100% and believe it or not, this package deal is not one of the rare examples. If the package deal doesn't come to fruition, that might give the Gophers a very small chance. If there is still a very small chance of him picking us, why would he elminate us? You don't elimate an option that is still possible.

 

[Gopherguy0723]

Who said Jones was coming here??? Sorry to burst you bubble but you need to work on your reading comp. skills

Why are you so rude? I'm sorry if you thought I was to you that wasn't my intent. As for your attempt to rudely insult me, you are the one who said Jones has sincere interest in going to Minnesota. If Jones has interest that means there is a possibility he may go to Minnesota. I said he has zero interest, and he isn't coming here. I can comprehend reading just fine. It's you who cannot if you cannot conclude that having interest equals a possibility of going to Minnesota. Geeze.

 

[BarnBoy]

This has been asked and truthfully answered already. Don't you think it might be possible that he fully intends on playing with Okafor, but realizes that there is a small chance it won't work out? There are very few things in life that are 100% and believe it or not, this package deal is not one of the rare examples. If the package deal doesn't come to fruition, that might give the Gophers a very small chance. If there is still a very small chance of him picking us, why would he elminate us? You don't elimate an option that is still possible.

What does this even mean? They are in the driver seat. If they want to play with each other, they can. You almost make it sound like the "deal" has to be approved by some third party or something.

 

[GopherinPhilly]

If he and Okafor pick Duke, does that help us with Travis? How many schollies does Duke have left?

 

[GophersOnTheRise]

What does this even mean? They are in the driver seat. If they want to play with each other, they can. You almost make it sound like the "deal" has to be approved by some third party or something.

Umm....what? How? Not sure how my post was in any way difficult to figure out. This should all be common sense. Obviously they can make it happen, it's just not 100% that they will be on the same page. They can both genuinely want to play together, but if Tyus decides that he really, really wants to play for Duke and Okafor decides he really, really wants to play for Kansas, don't you think it's even remotely possible that they go seperate ways? It's one thing to decide to play together, agreeing on which school is a whole different discussion and could lead to them doing their own thing. It happens all the time in recruiting. Again, I never said it won't happen. All I said it this whole thing isn't 100%. Extremely likely is not the same thing as 100%.

 

[GophersOnTheRise]

If he and Okafor pick Duke, does that help us with Travis? How many schollies does Duke have left?

They currently have 4, but there are a couple guys who could leave early. Very possible they could have as many as 6, but would they sign more than 4 prior to anyone officially leaving? Who knows. I think Okafor committing there would probably help our chances.

 

[BarnBoy]

Umm....what? How? Not sure how my post was in any way difficult to figure out. This should all be common sense. Obviously they can make it happen, it's just not 100% that they will be on the same page. They can both genuinely want to play together, but if Tyus decides that he really, really wants to play for Duke and Okafor decides he really, really wants to play for Kansas, don't you think it's even remotely possible that they go seperate ways? It's one thing to decide to play together, agreeing on which school is a whole different discussion and could lead to them doing their own thing. It happens all the time in recruiting. Again, I never said it won't happen. All I said it this whole thing isn't 100%. Extremely likely is not the same thing as 100%.

Fair enough. Didn't mean to pick on you. I just was pointing out my dislike of the phrase "package deal coming to fruition". It sounds too "take my talents to South Beach". In my own mind, I'll replace with "decided to play together".

 

[GophersOnTheRise]

Fair enough. Didn't mean to pick on you. I just was pointing out my dislike of the phrase "package deal coming to fruition". It sounds too "take my talents to South Beach". In my own mind, I'll replace with "decided to play together".

Well that means the same thing, but sounds good haha.

 

[golfing18now]

They currently have 4, but there are a couple guys who could leave early. Very possible they could have as many as 6, but would they sign more than 4 prior to anyone officially leaving? Who knows. I think Okafor committing there would probably help our chances.

It's been discussed in other threads too, but the Okafor/Tyus package to Duke doesn't appear to be the commitment to watch as it pertains to Reid Travis. Kevon Looney is actually a higher rated PF (than Travis) that is also being recruited by Duke and is set to announce his decision on Thursday. The feeling on GH is that Looney's decision could play a pretty significant role in Travis' decision.

 

[GophersOnTheRise]

It's been discussed in other threads too, but the Okafor/Tyus package to Duke doesn't appear to be the commitment to watch as it pertains to Reid Travis. Kevon Looney is actually a higher rated PF (than Travis) that is also being recruited by Duke and is set to announce his decision on Thursday. The feeling on GH is that Looney's decision could play a pretty significant role in Travis' decision.

Yup I've been paying close attention to Looney for months now. Definitely impacts Reid more than Okafor, but I think Okafor could slightly impact his decision too. The team to be nervous about with Looney is Tennessee. Some believe he will go there, but most still think it's Duke. Likely closer than his crystal ball indicates. This is the most I've looked forward to Halloween in a long time and it has nothing to do with the "holiday."

 

[Mulligan]

Not to be petty or bitter, but I think I'll be hating frickin' Duke even more if that's possible after these guys announce. South Beach comparison is pretty good.

 

[Bad Gopher]

Not to be petty or bitter, but I think I'll be hating frickin' Duke even more if that's possible after these guys announce. South Beach comparison is pretty good.

I'll look forward to seeing him fouled hard by the 15 seed that upsets them in the first round of the tournament.

 

[nooram]

Where does USC fit into the picture. He wore a USC baseball cap last evening while watching his girlfriend's playoff VB match. Are they a dark horse?

 

[BballJones]

It benefits him. You don't break up with your girlfriend until the car is actually on it's way to college. He's going to get flak for choosing an out-of-state program either way... he's just delaying the inevitable.

[EDIT]: Can't say I blame him.

That doesn't make sense to me, but whatever. IMO, we are on the list as a backup to his backup plan. If things don't play out the way he thinks/hopes they will, then he can fall back on the U without having burned bridges. I just find it hard to believe he's only delaying the inevitable - he's not 6.

 

[GopherJake]

OVER-
ANALYSIS

 

[GoldMedalCounty]

Where does USC fit into the picture. He wore a USC baseball cap last evening while watching his girlfriend's playoff VB match. Are they a dark horse?

It means mom needs to upgrade from 60-Watt light bulbs to 100W. He was clearly reaching for a Maroon and Gold hat before leaving the house and accidentally picked up a Cardinal and Gold one instead.

 

[gophersfan]

Tyus Jones drop Minnesota from his list.
https://twitter.com/GophersNow/status/396425680881086464