Nearly a week after he verbally committed to the University of Washington and put on a Huskies cap at a press conference, Terrence Jones‘ has still not signed his Letter of Intent and his future is still in flux.
“I think when he walked into the gym, he still didn’t know [where he would go to college],” Portland (Ore.) Jefferson coach Pat Strickland told Nick Dashel of The Oregonian. “He told me [Saturday] he wasn’t ready to make his decision, but I still think Washington is the front-runner.”
The 6-foot-8 Jones watched as teammate Terrence Ross, a 6-5 small forward, made his announcement for Washington after quietly signing a Letter of Intent days before. Alex Kline reported the Ross commitment April 26 on ZAGSBLOG.
Strickland said Jones may have just been caught up in the moment when he made his announcement at the high school.
“I know a lot of people in the [Jefferson] gym wanted Terrence to go to Washington, and he felt a lot of pressure,” Strickland told The Oregonian.
Linda Mashia-Jones, Terrence’s mother, has not returned phone calls or text messages seeking comment.
Jones reportedly spoke with Kentucky coach John Calipari after the announcement. The Oregonian reported that a Jones family member said Jones called the coach, not the other way around.
During a press conference Monday, Calipari indicated he wouldn’t try to sway a player who has already verbally committed.
“If [a player] made a verbal commitment … we just lay off until … the kid publicly says now I’ve decommitted,” Calipari said. “That’s just how I am. I don’t think it’s what you should do. There’s no rule against it. There’s no law against it if someone did do it. I just don’t do it.”
A year ago, big man DeMarcus Cousins initially committed to UAB and then Memphis before ultimately following Calipari to Kentucky.
The signing period ends May 19 and Jones has made his only public comment to Jerry Meyer of Rivals.
“I’m still not sure yet who I’m going to sign with,” he said.
(Photo courtesy The Oregonian)
Press Conference replay – TJ to announce chosen school:
1) “Note to self – Look at all school hats.. hmmm, KU hat – like the royal blue…wait – Kentucky Blue nice too…”
2) Make sure to look at other non-blue hats…hmmm…donuts…I mean Purple…that’s a really nice purple…”
3) I choose the KanKenOreZona Huskies…got it…nailed it…time for donuts…hmmmm, tasty…
You’re not supposed to drink the bong-water.
Today TJ was seen taking photgraphs with Portland Trailblazer’s Brandon Roy at Lloyd Center. This could be a good thing for UW and Romar. He may have a suprise gift for his mother this Sunday on Mother’s Day.
where did you see him taking pictures with Brandon Roy? I think the kid probably ends up at Washington, but I hope he goes to Kentucky
Don’t have a cow dude with my Homer fun… he he he … does seem like a bong driven fictional account with no merit whatsoever…:)