2018's top point guard Tre Jones makes the call
For the second year in a row, Duke has landed the top-ranked point guard in the county after landing 2018's Tre Jones on Sunday.
During an early evening program at his church, the nation's No. 9 ranked player announced that he will play his college ball in Durham.
Jones decision to attend Duke comes as no surprise. The Blue Devils have been considered the heavy favorite for some time now and his older brother Tyus Jones won a National Championship there in 2015. That relationship certainly gave Mike Krzyzewski and his staff a leg up.
"Obviously when Tyus was there, I got a little more insight to Duke, probably more then anyone else they’re recruiting right now," Jones told Rivals.com this summer. "I have a strong relationship with all the coaches there, Jon Scheyer, Jeff Capel and Coach K."
What does his commitment mean to the Blue Devils and the others who were chasing him?
WHAT DOES JONES MEAN FOR DUKE?
Landing a point guard was the Blue Devils top priority in the class of 2018. The likelihood that freshman Trevon Duval sticks around Durham for a second year is pretty minimal and other than another freshman -- three-star Jordan Goldwire -- the Blue Devils have no other options at point guard.
With Jones in the fold, Coach K and his staff can attack the rest of the class of 2018 knowing that they are set at the point guard spot. They wouldn't mind pairing Jones with another five-star point guard in Darius Garland, but the odds of that appear relatively slim at the moment.
Other major targets for the Blue Devils include include five-star wings Zion Williamson, Cameron Reddish and Romeo Langford along with elite big men Marvin Bagley III (who could enroll as a 2017 prospect), Emmitt Williams and David McCormack.
STING FACTOR FOR FINALISTS
Before announcing, Jones listed home state Minnesota (who has already landed three of Jones Howard Pulley summer teammates), Ohio State, UCLA and USC as his finalists. Realistically, him choosing Duke has a minimal impact on any of them as most were expecting him to pick Duke.
Sting factor: 3
Where they go from here: While landing Jones would have been an incredible win for Richard Pitino, the start he has in 2018 with locals Daniel Oturu, Jarvis Thomas and Gabe Kalscheur more than makes up for it. The Gophers landed their point guard of the future, Isaiah Washington, in 2017. Guards Nate Hinton and Eric Hunter are two to keep an eye out for as 2018 targets.
Sting factor: 0
Where they go from here: There is no real loss here for the Buckeyes as their chances were pretty much non-existent when it came to Jones. Look for them to lock in even tighter on players like Will Richardson and Mike Devoe to handle point guard duties from 2018.
UCLA:
Sting factor:4
Where they go from here: For a while, the Bruins seemed to be a real competitor for Jones so it hurts to lose the time they invested. Odds are that 2017 five-star Jaylen Hands will be back for his sophomore year and the Bruins have landed combo guard David Singleton and have five-star Lamelo Ball on the way in 2019. Top remaining targets include Darius Garland, Bryce Hamilton, Elijah Weaver, Bol Bol and Marvin Bagley III.
USC:
Sting factor: 1
Where they go from here: Members of the Trojans already outstanding 2018 recruiting class of Taeshon Cherry, Kevin Porter and J'Raan Brooks had all said they hoped to add Jones but it was never very likely. Thus, there is minimal sting in missing out on him. Those left on the Trojans' radar include No. 1 Marvin Bagley III, Elijah Weaver, Ayo Dosunmu, Michael Devoe (visit set for early September) and many others.
Sting factor: 1
Where they go from here: The Ducks already have a commitment from a versatile big man in Miles Norris. Jones never seemed like somebody they had a great shot with. However, Oregon is in good shape with five-stars R.J. Barrett and Simisola Shittu among others. The Ducks are poised to follow up their big 2017 class with a good 2018 effort.
