2014 Kentucky Wildcats Basketball Recruiting: Tyus Jones

Photo credit to ESPN.com

Tyus Jones

Apple Valley, Minnesota

6’1″, 171 lbs. PG

Scout Ranking: #1 Point Guard, #1 Overall

Rivals Ranking: #2 Guard, #5 Overall

ESPN Ranking: #1 Point Guard, #2 Overall

Tyus Jones, from Apple Valley, Minnesota, plays his high school basketball for Apple Valley High School.  He has played his AAU basketball for both the Howard Pulley Panthers and the Minnesota Magic.  Jones currently is entertaining offers from Baylor, Duke, Georgetown, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio State, Stanford, Indiana, Arizona, Iowa, Iowa State, Marquette, Nebraska, and Providence.  However, there are some schools that are still on Jones’ list that he has not yet received offers from, including Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Pittsburgh, UCLA, Washington, and Washington State.

Jones’ strengths, according to ESPN.com include being an extremely mature and poised basketball player. He has the unique ability to make the players around him better. He will not wow you with individual excellence or 40 point scoring prowess. He is not a 5 minute evaluation. His game is one that must be watched and admired over time. He has a good handle and can get in the lane when needed. He is an excellent passer and facilitator, that is the best part of his game. He has the ability to score when needed but prefers to pass.

Tyus Jones’ weaknesses include the need to improve his outside stroke and be a little more aggressive with his style while developing a consistent three point shot. Jones is a good penetrator and makes good decisions coming off ball screens but must finish better.

The bottom line on Tyus Jones is that he is smooth and plays with no wasted motion. He makes the right play at the right time, be it a pass, a steal, a rebound or a basket. From the neck up there’s no one better in the class of 2014 with the ability to think, play and perform than Jones. He understands how to win and what it takes to win. He is a solid shooter to 19 feet but rarely forces anything. Jones is a talent with a great future. His game is similar to that of Jason Kidd at this early stage.

Tyus Jones is widely regarding as a fantastic guard and player in general and would be a great pickup for Coach Cal and the Wildcats, but Jones is keeping a pretty large list for the time being and whether or not Kentucky has a real shot at landing him won’t be known until the list is trimmed some.  Only time will tell what will happen when he starts making visits!

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