Back in April, Terrence Jones reached out to a table holding six baseball hats and picked up a black Washington Huskies cap as the assembled crowd at Portland (Ore.) Jefferson High let out a roar.
Three weeks later, he officially changed course and announced he would go to Kentucky instead.
Now, Jones and his new team may meet the team he briefly committed to in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational Tuesday night.
The 6-foot-8 Jones put on a show in posting 29 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals in a 76-64 victory over Oklahoma.
If Washington beats Virginia in a quarterfinal later Monday, the No. 8 Wildcats and No. 13 Huskies will face off.
“When I recruited him, I loved him,” Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel told reporters. “I didn’t love him this afternoon. I didn’t care where anyone else was ranked, there is no one in this class that can do what he can do.”
During one impressive second-half stint, Jones pulled down a defensive rebound, initiated the break and then fed a nifty no-look underhand pass to a cutting Josh Harrellson for a layup.
“I said he was the best player,” Kentucky coach John Calipari told reporters, referring to all the freshmen in America. “I love coaching him.”
One NBA scout in attendance told Chad Ford of ESPN.com that Jones could potentially be the No. 1 pick in the 2011 Draft.
“If he continues to play this way, he’s going very, very high in the draft,” a NBA scout who attended the game told ESPN.com. “He could even be the No. 1 pick in the draft. He’s does all the things Harrison Barnes does and he’s bigger and so far, he’s been better.”
Considering that Barnes, Jared Sullinger, Kyrie Irving and Enes Kanter could also be eligible, those are strong words.
Jones’ fellow frosh Brandon Knight (13 points, five turnovers) and Doron Lamb (12 points) are pretty good, too, but on this night Jones stole the show.
Now we may get to see how he does against a real quality team like the Huskies.
“I’m not worried; I’m ready to play anybody,” Jones told ESPN.com. “I know a lot of guys on that team. I have a good relationship with Coach [Lorenzo] Romar. I’m just trying to get better.”
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter.
BostonCat / November 22, 2010
But according to Goodman, Jones isnt one of the top 25 freshman. I actually like Goodman’s work. Just wish he wouldnt be the typical journalist. Man up, admit you are wrong now. You are going to do it at some point.
/
MilesCat / November 23, 2010
A tough test for the Cats tonight! Washington is clicking on all cylinders. No matter the outcome this will be a great gauge for the young Cats. Washington is a final four potential team!
/
BostonCat / November 23, 2010
UW is better right now. Its also their superbowl. After Maui they wont see a ranked team all year. UK is too young to win a game like this right now. But later in the year….I would take the cats.
/
fearthephog25 / November 23, 2010
I see cal has his cat fans prepared for losses, by his statements two weeks ago.
Advanced Release: Top 5 Kentucky / Calipari Excuses
http://206hoops.blogspot.com/2010/11/advanced-release-top-5-kentucky.html
/
fearthephog25 / November 23, 2010
Per 206Hoops:
With Kentucky and their coach primed and ready to lose their big game vs. the University of Washington Huskies, we were able to pull some strings to obtain an advance copy (1 day early) of “Coach Cal’s” top 5 excuses for his Wildcats squad losing:
1. “We are one of the youngest teams in the nation.” – Oh really coach? Thats is exactly how you like your teams, you don’t develop top players, you just recruit new ones.
2. “The refs didn’t allow us to play our game” – We’ve all heard this one before. If Calipari senses the loss coming, look for him to try to get thrown out of the game for a bonus excuse.
3. “We didn’t have Enes Kanter”- Wait, wasn’t he supposed to be playing for UW in the first place? Awww poor coach, you didn’t hear about karma?
4. “Our young guys were looking past this game to the championship” – Don’t be surprised by this one, the guy is arrogant. If you can’t get your team ready to play a team ranked 11th in the nation, maybe we should stop calling you “coach.”
5. “We are one of the youngest teams in the nation.” – Sorry bud, you already used that one. Back to the drawing board.
/
BostonCat / November 23, 2010
please tell us all again how jones is down to KU and UW? stop listening to theshiver….its the worst source of information on the internet. you will be better for it.
/
fearthephog25 / November 23, 2010
There was not enough playing time for Jones at KU. With the Morris Twins and Thomas Robinson, anybody could of told you that though. Guaranteeing minutes is not something Bill Self uses as a recruiting tool. LOL You have to earn them as a Jayhawk.
Nation’s longest home winning streak is now at 63, with KU’s blow out win tonight in THE PHOG.
RCJHKU!!!
/
blasphemy / November 24, 2010
MWhahahahaha, UW lost, bwahahhahahahahaha. All the preseason smack talk. LOVE IT. In other news, I would rather us be playing Mich St. in the finals, but UConn has clearly proved they are dangerous.
/
BostonCat / November 24, 2010
you just named 3 guys jones is instantly better then.
/
fearthephog25 / November 24, 2010
Ha!! What a joke!! ROFFL
Are you serious? Obviously you haven’t been watching much basketball, besides uk. Get real son. Jones is good, but not that good.
What a good laugh out loud right before Turkey Day!!
/
fearthephog25 / November 25, 2010
Either way, Dawgs beat down cats in Maui. It so happens to be a Husky. HAHA Who let the Dawgs out??
/