NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. -- A lot of people think 2018 five-star Tre Jones, the younger brother of former Duke point guard Tyus Jones, is a shoo-in for the Blue Devils. But Tre Jones is still undecided and taking his time.
Over the last few days at the Peach Jam, Duke, UCLA, USC, Minnesota and Ohio State have been very visible at Jones’ games sitting courtside.
"I don’t have a leader right now," Jones says. "I’m just taking the process day by day and focusing on finishing out strong this AAU season."
The elite point guard and his team Howard Pulley were eliminated from the Peach Jam Saturday morning, but Jones still has two weeks left to play in front of coaches during the live period as he finishes up his final AAU season.
MORE: Jones among Peach Jam standouts | Latest on Bagley, others from Peach Jam
IN HIS OWN WORDS
Jones has a strong relationship with Duke and is the most familiar with their program because of his brother, but there are a handful of other schools still involved. USC, UCLA, Minnesota and Ohio State are all staying in contact with the top-10 player in 2018.
DUKE: "Obviously when Tyus was there, I got a little more insight to Duke, probably more then anyone else they’re recruiting right now. I have a strong relationship with all the coaches there, Jon Scheyer, Jeff Capel, Coach K, I hear from all of them."
USC: "I heard Taeshon Cherry wanted me there and we've talked here and also at the USA Camp. I'm definitely going to get on campus and check things out when I'm out in LA working out with my brother sometime in August."
UCLA: "That's another school out west that's been talking to me a lot. The same with USC, I'm going to make sure I get there for a visit when I'm out in Los Angeles."
OHIO STATE: "That offer is sort of new and sort of not. The Butler coaching staff is now there and they were recruiting me to Butler so I have a good relationship with all the coaches."
MINNESOTA: "That's the home town school and I’ve been there a lot and checked out some games. Like the other schools on my list I have a strong relationship with the coaching staff, and they're always at my games watching me."
WHAT'S NEXT?
Jones plans on taking some visits in the fall but nothing has been scheduled yet.
"I’ll take my officials this fall. I’m not sure if it’s going to be two, three or all five officials," Jones said.
As far as the Darius Garland point guard battle with Duke, both players have said Coach K and staff want them to come in together.
"Ever since they started recruiting me they’ve talked a little bit about me and Darius coming in together," Jones said. "We're both really familiar with each other's game and we've become friends after playing for Team USA, so I'm definitely comfortable playing alongside him."
RIVALS REACTION
The pull and family ties to Duke will be too much for other schools to top - I think Jones will ultimately follow his brother to Duke. I like that he's taking his time to really check out all options and experience the recruiting process; it will help put his mind at ease, one way or another, when it’s time to make his decision.
