Recruiting Report: Tre Jones (2018)
Sunday night Apple Valley guard Tre Jones continued the Eagles pipeline to Duke University as the third and latest player from the program committed to the Blue Devils in a five year span.
Three weeks ago at the KC Hardwood Classic Jones told Prep Hoops that five schools were after him the most. That list was Duke, Minnesota, UCLA, USC, and Ohio State. Duke was the heavy favorite with UCLA and Minnesota holding out some hope.
In a banquet type setting in front of family and friends, the night concluded with a commitment video where Jones selected Duke. Tre followed the paths of his brother Tyus Jones and former teammate, and potentially future teammate Gary Trent Jr to the school.
“I just feel like it’s the best fit for myself with everything from the coaching staff to the team and the guys they have there,” Tre said. “The campus, just everything about them is the best fit for me overall.”
The Duke staff started recruiting Tre’s brother Tyus Jones when Tyus was a freshman and/or sophomore in high school. At that time Tre started his relationship with Coach K and the Duke staff and that bond conquered everything else.
“The relationship was definitely huge,” Jones said of the Duke staff. “I’ve known the coaching staff for a while now. Just having a great relationship with them, there’s just so many things about them that fits me so well just perfectly.”
Coach K was of course a huge part of Jones committing to play at Duke.
“We’ve built a really good relationship over the years now. We talk frequently. I’d say it’s just going to only get better from him.”
Having a brother play at the school was also very important. Tyus Jones went to Duke for a year, won a title, and is now in the NBA.
“(Tyus) factored in a little bit, but I’d say the relationship with the coaches,” Tre said. “I’ve had a relationship since I was 11 or 12 years old and it just been built every since. He factored in a little, but they recruited me and it was just the best fit for myself.”
Tre Jones has won two state titles at Apple Valley and hopes to win a third this winter.