Jones recently added to his growing list accolades as he broke Apple Valley’s school assist records when he recorded his 448th assist and he isn’t even halfway through his high school career!
Only a sophomore, Tyus Jones is a household name throughout Minnesota and across the country. He recently added to his growing list accolades as he broke Apple Valley’s school assist records when he recorded his 448th assist and he isn’t even halfway through his high school career!
GopherHole’s Nadine Babu caught up with Jones Tuesday night to learn the latest on his recruitment and thought process as he navigates the recruiting process that will only intensify as he progresses through high school.
GH: What do you like most about Michigan State?
TJ: I like the style of play, they get up and down, as well as their coach, Coach Izzo is a great guy. I haven’t visited or anything, so I can’t really tell you about the campus, or anything more than what I’ve seen on TV, or what you’ve seen.
GH: What about Ohio State?
TJ: Ohio State, I took an unofficial there. I like the campus and stuff down there, as well as their style of play as well. I like a few things down there.
GH: What do you like about Duke?
TJ: Duke, I like their style of play as well, they have one of the best coaches of all time, Coach K. There are a lot of things that I don’t know about all of these schools, that will have to go into consideration as well.
GH: The school that you probably know the most about is Minnesota, being in your backyard. What do you like about Minnesota?
TJ: I like Tubby Smith. Like I said, there are a lot of things I don’t know, being that I haven’t looked too deep into it. The school itself is going to be a major part of where I choose to go. There are a lot of things that me and my family will have to consider and there’s still a lot of time.
GH: Aside from your family, who else will help you with this decision making process?
TJ: My family, my entire family. My mom and my dad, my older and younger brother, my grandparents, my aunt and uncle are a big big help, so just my entire family is there for me.
GH: It sounds like you’re very close to your family, is staying close to home a factor at all?
TJ: Location won’t be a make or break. It won’t make me stay, it won’t make me go to a school or not go to a school. It’s not really too big of an issue.
GH: What type of player do you want to become? What do you want to improve upon?
TJ: Defense, you always want to become the best defender you can be. Getting stronger and quicker, you can always get stronger.
GH: With all of the attention you’ve been getting since you were in 8th grade, how do you stay grounded?
TJ: It’s how I was raised. Ever since I was little, it was just how I was raised. I give my mom and my dad credit for that.