Tarkanian Classic: Tevian Jones is an unsigned priority
LAS VEGAS -- The stock of unsigned senior Tevian Jones is on the rise and isn't likely to stop soaring for a bit.
Currently an unranked three-star prospect, the 6-foot-6 senior at Culver City (Calif.) is a lock for the final 2018 Rivals150 and it's only a matter of how high he enters in the rankings because he's got some serious tools and ability.
Having racked up offers from Illinois, USC, Cal, UNLV, San Diego State, Nevada, Grand Canyon and UC Santa Barbara, Jones isn't an unknown to college coaches this winter, but it's been recently that things have really taken off for him.
During Friday's action at the Tarkanian Classic, Jones shook off a slow start and foul trouble that severely limited his second half playing time to score 32 in a comeback win. He did it driving to the hoop and using his elite athleticism and he did it with a much improved jump shot and ball handling.
Jones credits hard work in the gym and discipline from his high school coach Reggie Morris for his improvement.
"I'm always staying in the gym, always working hard and always getting better every single day," Jones told Rivals.com. "Coach Morris has been very big. He's always riding me in practice and staying on me and making sure that I'm held accountable, he's a great coach.
On the recruiting front, Jones listed Illinois as a program that he would definitely like to visit. He also mentioned others like Cincinnati and Xavier who have been involved but haven't yet offered would be intriguing to him if they did offer.
Speaking of the Illini, Brad Underwood and his staff have been working Jones hard and he likes their style and has lots of family in the Chicago area.
"I like their style of play and I have a lot of family back in Illinois," said Jones. "I think it would be a good college and they just signed Ayo Dosunmu, I saw him with the Mac Irvin Fire and I think me and him would be a good duo."
A bit closer to home, USC is somewhere that Jones has been unofficially and could see himself visiting officially.
"I have been over to USC to get some shots up in the gym and I've seen the campus," said Jones. "USC would be one of the schools I would consider a visit to."
Also in Pac 12 country, Cal has made an impression on Jones.
"I've watched them play a few times and I like how they push the ball and they get everybody involved," said Jones. "I think that could be good even though they have some growing pains."
Don't look for Jones to set any visits in the immediate future. He's looking forward to finishing out his senior season and for now the plan is to hold off on taking his visits until after the season is over.
"It will probably be towards the end of the season before I schedule anything," said Jones. "I will look at the players I will be playing with, the coaching staff, the school itself and then of course their record and how good they've been in the past will be important."