terrence jones interview

[runner1182]

don't know if this has been posted or not
and i know i misspelled his name terrence not terrance

Recruiting News
Terrence Jones will decide this spring

Words. Jason Jordan

Terrence Jones

Jefferson (Portland, Ore.) forward Terrence Jones isn’t just holding out on picking a college because he doesn’t know where he wants to go. That’s only part of it. The other reason is because he wants his teammates to get the exposure they’ll need to land scholarships.

“It’s only right,” said Jones, ranked No. 31 in the HSH national top 50. “Coaches may like what they see while they’re coming to look at me. We all help each other out like that.”

We caught up with Jones, who on Thursday was named a McDonald’s All-American, to pick his brain about everything from what he likes about each of the five schools on his list to how likely it is that sought-after recruit Terrence Ross (who recently transferred to Jefferson from Montrose Christian in Rockville, Md.) will suit up for the Democrats this year.

*** *** ***

HighSchoolHoop: So how is your season going?
Terrence Jones: We’re doing pretty good. We only lost two games.

HSH: What are you averaging?
TJ: About 30 points.

HSH: What’s been your toughest test this season?
TJ: Probably when we played against Josh Smith (Kentwood, Wash.). It really wasn’t a matchup because they played a lot of zone in the second half. But it was tough at times because he’s a real center and I had to guard the post. I’m not really used to that. But hey, we won.

HSH: That’s always good. So we hear Terrence Ross may be playing with you soon?
TJ: That’s a possibility. I don’t know about him playing yet, but I know that he’s attending school here now.

HSH: Run me down your list of schools.
TJ: Oregon, Kentucky, Oklahoma, UCLA and Washington.

HSH: And you’ve made all of your visits, right?
TJ: Yeah.

HSH: Since a big reason for your holdout is to get exposure for your teammates, that could lead some to believe that you may already know where you’re going?
TJ: Yeah I could see why you would say that, but no, I don’t know yet. When I do know I’ll make a decision. Right now, I’m just concentrating on my season.

HSH: So tell me what you like about each of the schools on your list.
TJ: Well, with Kentucky they’re a powerhouse right now. They win and they put guys in the NBA. Oregon is my home state, and I have a great relationship with the players. At UCLA, Coach Ben Howland is trying to put big things together down there for next year. It’s a great city and they’ve got good players. Washington’s coach, Lorenzo Romar, is an excellent coach on and off the court. I’ve got a great relationship with Abdul Gaddy (UW) too. With Oklahoma, I’ve gotten to know Coach Jeff Capel really well. I got a feel for how it’s a family environment down there. Then I know Tiny Gallon (UO) really well too, so that’s a plus.

HSH: Are any of the schools’ playing styles more conducive to the way you’d like to play in college?
TJ: I feel like they’re all a good fit for me. I can adjust to any style, so that’s not a big deal for me.

HSH: What is the biggest factor that will go into your decision?
TJ: Just how much of an impact I can have right away. That’s important to me, and I want to be able to trust the coach to make me a better player and a better person. I really want to be able to learn a lot on the next level.

HSH: When do you plan to decide?
TJ: My plan is to announce during the late signing period.

Got a burning question for Jason? Email him: JasonJ@DimeMag.com

 

[Bk2X]

Re: terrance jones interview

HSH: What is the biggest factor that will go into your decision?
TJ: Just how much of an impact I can have right away. That’s important to me, and I want to be able to trust the coach to make me a better player and a better person. I really want to be able to learn a lot on the next level.

Come on down...

 

[w0lfe]

Re: terrance jones interview

I think thats an older interview. Seems like i have read it awhile ago.

 

[DSMok1]

Re: terrance jones interview

Yeah, it's from February 12th.

 

[seniorsooner]

Re: terrance jones interview

HSH: What is the biggest factor that will go into your decision?
TJ: Just how much of an impact I can have right away. That’s important to me, and I want to be able to trust the coach to make me a better player and a better person. I really want to be able to learn a lot on the next level.

Impact right away = check
Coach that can make you a better player = check (see Blake Griffin)
Coach that can make you a better person = debatable, but Capel seems to develop a really good rapport with these guys

 

[trueou]

It is not fair to expect that any coach can make any person a better person. The coach can only influence his players and to some extent protect them from some bad influences. A person's development into a better person is almost entirely up to that person. So laying bad apples at Capel's feet is not fair. He did not make them go bad. They were bent that way to start with. To some extent you can blame him for picking them but you also have to give him props for picking good ones too.

Good apples picked: Eric Maynor, Blake Griffin, Cade Davis.

Players who appeared to grow as persons under Capel in addition to the three above: Longar, Taylor Griffin, AJ, Tony Crocker, Ryan Wright, Godbold, Omar Leary.

It is easy to notice and keep track of the failures. And the jury is still out on a few. Capel is a bright guy. His ability to judge character will only improve with experience. I know that my ability to judge character is better. It is much easier for me to spot phonies than it was 20 years ago.

 

[AdaSooner]

It is not fair to expect that any coach can make any person a better person. The coach can only influence his players and to some extent protect them from some bad influences. A person's development into a better person is almost entirely up to that person. So laying bad apples at Capel's feet is not fair. He did not make them go bad. They were bent that way to start with. To some extent you can blame him for picking them but you also have to give him props for picking good ones too.

Good apples picked: Eric Maynor, Blake Griffin, Cade Davis.

Players who appeared to grow as persons under Capel in addition to the three above: Longar, Taylor Griffin, AJ, Tony Crocker, Ryan Wright, Godbold, Omar Leary.

It is easy to notice and keep track of the failures. And the jury is still out on a few. Capel is a bright guy. His ability to judge character will only improve with experience. I know that my ability to judge character is better. It is much easier for me to spot phonies than it was 20 years ago.

Excellent post, trueou! You definitely gave everyone some things to think about. Like you, I'm a heck of a lot smarter now than I was twenty years ago. lol

 

[FaithfulSooner]

Excellent post TRUEOU. Thanks for posting. BOOMER SOONER BABY!!!