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

Apple Valley PG Tyus Jones says he is still considering Minnesota.

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.  

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *