By LARRY VAUGHT
Terrence Jones insisted he had not made a decision on where he would attend college as he looked at the hats of the six schools he had narrowed his college list to during a press conference at his Portland, Ore., high school Friday.
Then he broke the hearts of University of Kentucky fans who were among the almost 25,000 watching the press conference online live when he said he would stay closer to home and play at Washington along with teammate Terrence Ross who had confirmed he would play for the Huskies just minutes earlier.
Jones, who had on a sports coat and tie, is a 6-9 forward that could have provided a needed piece for UK coach John Calipari’s recruiting class. Instead, he opted to stay closer to home just as another highly-regard forward, C.J. Leslie, did earlier in the week when he picked North Carolina State over Kentucky.
Jones thanked his high school coaches, parents, family and teammates for supporting him. He broke down and cried when talking about his teammates and had to be consoled by his mother.
Then he thanked the coaches who had recruited him and went down the list of Kansas, Oklahoma, Oregon, UCLA and Kentucky.
He noted the support the UK fans gave him.
“Coach O (Orlando Antigua) for being there for me, calling me when I needed to talk about anything and coach Cal just getting to know me as a player and person. Just trying to make me understand how it would be for me if I went there,†Jones said.
“I want to thank all the coaches for that. I guess now I will be picking one.â€Â
That’s when he hesitated before picking the Washington hat and announced he would sign with the Huskies, and not Kentucky. His aunt, Ava Mashia, played for the Huskies women’s team.
“I want to be close to home. Like I have been saying since eighth grade, I want o play with Terrence Ross,†Jones said.
The 6-9 Jones averaged 32 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, three blocked shots and three steals per game. He helped his team win three straight state championships. ESPN ranks Jones among the top 15 players nationally and he was a two-time Oregon Class 5-A player of the year.
Jones scored 810 points his senior season to become the sixth player in Oregon prep history to surpass 800 points in a season. He totaled 1,793 points for his career.
After the season, Jones continued to pile up awards and honors: 5A Portland Interscholastic League player of the year, McDonald’s All-American, Parade All-American, Nike Hoop Summit invitee.
Not signing him is a big blow for Calipari even though he has signed a banner class with point guard Brandon Knight, center Enes Kanter, small forward Stacey Poole and shooting guard Doron Lamb. However, UK is going to be dangerously thin on the front line with only center Josh Harrellson and small forward Darius Miller returning to join Kanter and Poole as true front-court players.
The Wildcats are still recruiting players, including Atlanta forward Marcus Thornton. He likely becomes a top priority for Calipari now to get another needed frontcourt player to go with what he already has.
51 Responses to Cats lose Jones to Washington
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Well crap. Thorton?
Most relieved out there….Rick P and the rest of the Card kingdom.
Hey Larry, You might want to stay away from prognosticating from here on out. Your “sources” aren’t doing to well. (Teague, Jones)
Hard to be right every time. And remember my original sources said Teague until I let a national guy talk me out of it. On Jones, I was very clear he had not told any school, but several national sources felt it was going to be UK  and either they were wrong or he changed his mind. Either way, no guarantees in recruiting but don’t remember you questioning those sources when they were right on Knight, Orton, Wall and others.
just bustin’ your chops Larry. Jones had a lot pf people guessing.
Are you trying to take credit for calling Knight, Wall and Orton? Everyone and their mother knew they were going to play for Calipari.
Well the talent pool has definitely thinned out. Now Thorton will probably be a Cat and what we need too are a couple more 3-star players that will turn out in 2-3 years to be stars. Never cry over spilt milk.
He would have benefited by playing for Cal but he’s one and done anyway.We recruited him hard.I was at the Blue-White game when he visited and he enjoyed everything but he has stated all along that he preferred to stay closer to home so I respect it.Now on to our needs.There isn’t alot left.Marcus Thornton is priority number 1.We still have a shot at Eloy Vargas who could help in alot of ways.He’s a rebounder and shot blocker.Kanter is more of a power forward anyway so Vargas could get plenty of PT.Chris Hill is still available as well.He’s not a PF but at 6’8 could give us some help on the inside.Luke Cothron,6’8, is out there but from what I hear,he may not make the grade but who knows.I really think Jones wanted to stay closer to home but the recent commit by Gilchrist may have played a role as well.It shouldn’t have but it could have.Fans need not jump off any bridges,the world isn’t ending because we didn’t get Jones.We have plenty of 5 star players and besides there are hidden jewels in the 3 star range so one never knows.Cal will handle things,already the 2011 class is off to a great start so help is coming.Yes,I know we are in need of help for the 2010-11 season as far as inside players but IF we can get Vargas,Thornton and maybe Hill,we will be okay.
Catlover, not taking credit, just saying my sources had those right. If you knew about Orton, then you sure knew more than anybody else  including his father when I talked to him often during the re-recruiting process.
And T.W., no problem. That’s the risk with recruiting and sometimes when you try to share educated info and it turns out wrong, some folks tend to think it was gospel. It’s about as hard as predicting winners/losers sometimes. But to me, this just came down to the end and the kid wanting to stay close to home and that’s one obstacle even Cal can’t overcome
Shoot Larry,I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it.The “scources” at Kansas said he was KU bound.Recruiting is a gamble,sometimes ya win and sometimes ya lose.Some kids prefer to get away from familiar surroundings and some prefer to stay home.
At least he didn’t pick Kansas, and it was closer home. Sounds like he is very close to his parents, since you said his mother had to console him during the press conference. (There is nothing wrong with that, I’m a mother and I would have been there for my kid also)Not everyone is the same, some kids can handle being away from home and some cannot. I wish him good luck and thank him for considering Kentucky anyway.
It’s why I respect college coaches for having to stake their careers on what kids decide. Must break their hearts. I have talked to guys like Chuck Smith, Joker, Joe Hall, Rick Stansbury and others about how hard it is to spend all that time recruiting a kid, think you have him and then see him pick somewhere else. But they all learn to deal with it and move on
If you are going to use sources, at least tell us that they have not clue. We assumed they were sources that, you know, were in position to have information.
Did any body notice that out of all the hats lined up the two on the left were flat billed.The rest looked worn I truly think it came down to ky and wash but the wild card was his bud and we just couldnt trumph that.
LaRRY wE are talking about basketball on this current post. While I respect you and your blog, you reported that we were going to get this kid. I don’t care if you’ve been right before but I used to consider what you reported here fact. Obviously I was wrong, I know it’s only a blog but before this I thought I could consider it fact. I am so dissapointed, in this decision and your report (please note I did not say you). Like the blog wish you wouldn’t have done that. Now put up 10 stories no one cares about so they don’t remember this. Ha Ha Wish U good health Larry!
Geezz people,so a prediction was wrong…big deal.ESPN had Leslie a “lock” to UK and they missed.Jones’ decided to stay close to home,again big deal.We really could have used him but we lost out just like we lost out on Leslie,Adrien Payne,Harrison Barnes and other 5 star kids.We have 3….THREE 5 star players and to some’s surprise,we won’t get all of the 5 star players listed.To think where we were just a little over a year ago and what we had to endure over the prior 8 seasons,I’d say we got spoiled last year wouldn’t ya think?
It’s not final yet. I believe Jones gave cal a verbal. Cal informed Leslie. Leslie went to NC St. Jones having second thoughts after talking to Cal. Grazy, hold your horses, it might be a long night.
Larry might be right after all.
Thats what I’m hearing.Jones has talked to Cal and is weighing his options.From what I’m hearing,Jones’ announcement caught his parents off guard,they expected him to pick UK.He may have got caught up in the emotion with Terrence Ross.He did not sign a LOI so he could change his mind.I’m not saying he will but he has contacted Cal and clearly he still has thoughts about Big Blue.
Evan Daniels of Scout is saying the same thing.Jones weighing his options.Wow,this could get very interesting.Again,he could still end up at Washington but clearly,he is torn.
I had a feeling something was not right when Leslie committed the way he did.
Jones’high school coach told a Seattle TV station that it isn’t a done deal yet.Terrence is weighing his options.
I agree Tony,I think Jones gave Cal a silent verbal this past week,Cal told Leslie which is why CJ committed to NC State.Jones got emotional today at the presser and swayed by Ross and to his parents surprise,picked Washington.He wanted UK but let emotion and the crowd get to him.He contacted Cal,talked for about 15 minutes and now is weighing his options.He did not sign a letter of intent or hasn’t yet.
I just saw on another site HUSKEY MEN’S BASKETBALL BLOG, that the call with Cal lasted around 15 minutes and reading body language Jones looked pained.Jones said he told me “you hurt thousands of people just as much as you make people happy.” There is a picture of Jones and Ross standing together and to tell you the truth they neither one look all that happy.
No Ken, he didn’t sign and he deleted his tweet “I’m a Huskie now”. Remember that Kanter gave UW a verbal before committing to UK.
I’ll say this,regardless of what the young man does,I hope he makes the right decision for himself.Nothing about this can be easy.On one hand he wants to play for a program like UK and on the other he wants to stay close to home.Maybe his family can follow him here,lol..I don’t know,I just hope he makes the right choice and can be happy with that choice.Clearly,he has thoughts about being at UK.The recruiting sites are all lit up by this news so I’m sure once he makes his mind up for sure,we will all know about it.
Larry I always want your opinion as well as your sources.I think your sources had it on the money………..I believe they had it right with Jones and he changed his mind late. I enjoy all of your stories…..You are the best sportwriter in Kentucky.
Well, Jones is a pleaser like Wall from what I hear. And I’m sure his parents and friends are aware of that. They should let him make his decision w/o pressuring him. The parent pressure I can tolerate but Ross should be following Jones and not the other way around.
Funny how after losing out on Leslie, all you UK fans were “that’s OK, I heard he was a head case”. Yet now, minutes after holding a press conference and telling the aforementioned almost 25,000 people watching that he was going to UW, he still might be weighing his options? Just admit that missing on Leslie was like sour grapes, and you thought you had Jones in the bag, and if he were to have pulled the same stunt you’d be singing his praises right now.
The bigger issue here is Calipari. Simply put, he is the worst person in all of college basketball. Are you kidding me? Calling the kid minutes after he announced to try and guilt him into changing his mind with this “you hurt thousands of people just as much as you make people happy.” What a completely classless, low-life loser. Come on Cal. I know your legacy just took a minor hit losing another recruiting battle, but try to summon a small amount of dignity and move on. What a worthless excuse for a human being. NBA, please, PLEASE do the college basketball world a favor and take this scum off of our hands.
I don’t think Jones ever told Cal yes definitely, but I think the UK staff sure thought he was coming. And as we can see by all that has happened now, Jones certainly was torn and remains torn. Still doubt he would change his mind and not go to Washington based on all I have heard about the character of the kid. He’s a good kid and homee emotion is hard to overcome. Guess there is still a chance he comes, but I think saying no is what he has a hard time doing and once he gets over the initial hurt of having to tell Cal, I think he’ll stay at Washington now. but we’ll see
I can’t see this kid changing to UK. Romar gets another face to face shot with him today from what I read in the Seattle Times Basketball Blog. Romar will seal the deal. It stinks, but that is my guess.
Does seem now some strange things are going on with Jones and it it not an impossibility that he could still be a Cat. Still nothing signed for Washington and some info leaking out that he has talked to Cal again and that his parents are both supporting him coming to UK. Stay tuned for what could be a crazy day
Where is the schedual for the barnstorming games?
nevermind
I agree. I don’t see him changing his mind. This is just some “buyer’s remorse” and will pass. He will realize that, IF this is really what he wants, he made the right decision, no matter how many thousands of people he let down.
I wish Terrence the best. You have to respect a kid, who wants to remain close to home and play with a friend. It would have been a huge piece of the puzzle to have him, but Cal will prevail and, like someone else said, find some 3 star recruits that he can develop into solid players.
I think, after this season, Cal WILL start getting the major Forwards to come here on a consistent basis. He came here with the reputation of developing Point Guards. So he locked up the best, for the next few years. He developed Cuz into a great interior player. THAT has shown what he can do for big men and I’m sure, lead to Enes signing and probably many others, down the road, as he continues to have success with the bigs. THIS season, he will be forced to concentrate on developing the Forward position more. When people see what he does with Darius, Stacey and whoever else he gets over the summer, he will start to have ALL the big-time Forwards wanting to come here. THEN, HIS WORLD DOMINATION WILL BE COMPLETE!!
And I can’t end this, without saying a little something to Kye:
Kye, I am glad to see that, even though you obviously hate UK and Cal, you can find the time to come to this site, which has NOTHING to do with whatever team you support. It is also heartwarming that you take the time to post comments about the articles. You are obviously conflicted about YOUR team, so I would like to invite you to join the Big Blue Nation. We take ALL converts from LOSER teams. Let your anger go and join a WINNER. We won’t judge you for your past. Let us know, so we can get your Welcome Basket ready.
GO BIG BLUE!!!!
Jim thank you for inviting a Louisville or Duke fan to be a Wildcat and a Cal fan. Sounds like Kyle has more sour grapes than anybody I have seen on Larry’s site.
I am sure no other coach called Jones because they knew he was going to either Washington or KY. This happens all the time in recruiting. Do you think Pitino would not have called Jones in a similar situation? Or the Washington coach? Or Bill Self? Or Tubby Smith? Or that guy at Duke?
Wake up to the fact Calipari is a better recruiter than anybody else right now. There will be always those who say he cheats but he still keeps on recruiting and being a winning coach.
And he still may get Jones – then he may not. So what?
Jealously is the greatest form of flattery.
Kye probably gets on our site because it is a lot more interesting than what is going on if anything on his team’s site.I just wanted to thank him, I needed a good laugh this morning.
It’s after 11:00 on a soggy Derby Day. Any updates on Jones signing yet????
Funny how a “person” like Kye can spill his hate and then run off.What a joke……As for Jones,IF he stays at UW then he made his choice,IF he comes to UK then he made his choice.The kid obviously doesn’t want to hurt anyone but he still has to make a choice.His Mother to be truthful was surprised by his announcement which tells me that he was going to choose UK until he got emotional.He may very well end up at UW but what if he does decide to come to UK?Will that make believers of people?He hasn’t signed anything yet.
Seattle Times reporter Percy Allen has a great article.Says it is down to UK and UW and that he doesn’t know if a presser will be scheduled today or not.Jones is rethinking his decision.
The thing with other fans like Kye, they want to say hateful things and make people mad, when he was invited to join us and we thanked him for a good laugh he saw it wasn’t going to work so he left, maybe he will find another site that will bicker with him, I’m sure he can I have seen some of them and do not care for them. That is the reason I use this site, I like to talk and read about the CATS, I do not want to argue about them.After all living in Indiana so close to L’ville I could do that every day if I wanted.
Jones is having a hard time deciding, that is a lot of pressure on a kid that age, he just needs to take his time talk with his parents and decide what is best for him. I hear he is really good and I would love to see him in Kentucky Blue but only IF HE WANTS TO BE HERE.
I have yet to see a full schedule for the games. Might be one, but they are not promoting it very well yet — and they should.
Still lot of chatter going on about Jones. When I know or hear anything, you will know
I am in Northern Kentucky and picked up a Cincinnati paper yesterday, because it had an article about Krebs and the game. Krebs said that he was trying to put together 3 or 4 more games over the next few weeks. So there must not be any set dates yet. I am confident that Mark will let everyone know, as soon as he does.
Larry, you might consider hooking up with Mark or Matt Jones, so they can get word out through you as well as KSR (Matt Jones is the emcee for the games, so I’m sure he will probably have the info first).
These games are a MUST SEE.
GO BIG BLUE!!!!
Any word would be appreciated by a lot of folks
I just want to thank you, Larry, for sharing with us what you THINK will happen, based on information you hear from your sources. You had NOT said that Terrence Jones WOULD come to Kentucky. I do NOT appreciate anyone’s bashing you. Such criticism is ridiculous and unfair.
You are a good guy who humbly shares your thoughts and feelings. Most everyone here fully appreciates who you are and what you share with us. You are the best. THE END.
Amen, Tana.
Thanks Tana.
RIGHT ON TANA!!
GO LARRY!!
GO BIG BLUE!!!!
Larry is a keeper.He gets it from his Dad who was a keeper as well.I miss Bill Vaught but thank goodness Larry picked up the torch.
My dad was one of a kind. He passed the torch, but I am afraid I don’t do a very good job of keeping it burning compared to him