Posted August 2, 2011    

•Tyus Jones

•Rodney Williams

•Glen Perkins

•Donovan McNabb

•Preseason All-Americans

Tyus Jones: No College Favorites, or Decision for Awhile 

Despite national attention, don’t expect 15-year-old Apple Valley High School point guard Tyus Jones to announce his college choice soon.   

Local basketball authority Rene Pulley and others rate Jones the No. 1 point guard in America for the class of 2014.  Pulley, who is CEO of Howard Pulley Basketball, has been involved with local basketball for years, but thinks Jones could be considered the greatest Minnesota prep ever by 2014.   

Jones told Sports Headliners he has college scholarship offers from nine schools but is in no hurry to choose a college and might wait until his senior season at Apple Valley.  “I don’t think I’ll make an early commitment, probably (decide) later in my high school career,” he said. 

The offers are from Arizona, Baylor, Iowa, Iowa State, Marquette, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State and Providence.  “I don’t think I have any favorites,” Jones said.  

While some local preps might be overly dazzled about leaving the state, expect Jones to give the Gophers fair consideration.  He’s an intelligent and mature young man who values classroom work, staying modest and treating others with respect. 

Jones has a family connection to former Gophers captain Al Nuness.  Jones’ dad, Robert, is Nuness’ nephew.  Jared Nuness, Al’s son, is part of the basketball support staff at Baylor.   

Al Nuness told Sports Headliners almost two years ago that Jones was better as an eighth grader than former North High and 1997 Minnesota Mr. Basketball Khalid El-Amin.  Pulley said last week that Jones, already 6-foot-1 compared with El-Amin at 5-6 as a 15-year-old, is the better player at that age.  

Jones, who admires New Orleans’ point guard Chris Paul’s “pass first, score second” approach, likely will be taller than 6-1 when he arrives on a college campus.  “My dad is 6-7, so hopefully I will still have a growth spurt and get a few inches...in the years to come,” he said. 

Jones said he won’t play football this year for Apple Valley, but might go out for baseball in 2012.  He has experienced a busy spring and summer of basketball including being named the youngest player for the USA development team for players 16 and under. 

 

“My dad is 6-7, so hopefully I will still have a growth spurt and get a few inches here in the years to come.”
 Tyus Jones

Rodney Williams Impresses in Summer Ball 

Rene Pulley has watched not only Jones but also several Gophers players in his summer basketball league.  Among the players he’s intrigued to see play for Minnesota next season is forward Rodney Williams who had a disappointing sophomore year averaging 6.8 points per game, making only 21 percent of his three point field goals and often being a non-contributor even though he was a starter.  Before the season he was projected by nbadraftnet.com to be a top 10 NBA draft choice in 2011. 

“I think he’s got a new confidence in his game and his potential and his ability now,” Pulley said.  “He’s been shooting the three point shot very well.  He did that at the LeBron James camp and also the Kevin Durant camp.  But he’s brought that back to the league (Howard Pulley) and he’s been doing that here.  

“(He’s) putting the ball on the floor far more aggressive than he’s ever been.  I am one of the ones that wonder, is it him?  Or is it somebody holding him back?  Because he impresses everybody.  He’s a crowd favorite here.  But for whatever reason, when he gets over to the U, you got a different Rodney Williams.” 

Williams, who might be the most athletic player in the Big Ten, certainly has NBA potential and so, too, does teammate Trevor Mbakwe who is trying to make the USA World University Games roster this month.  The Gophers’ power forward led the Big Ten in rebounding last year at 10.5 per game and was an intimidating player not only rebounding, but blocking shots with his exceptional strength and jumping ability.   

“My assessment of Trevor is he’s a beast,” Pulley said.  “He still needs to work on his low post moves, his footwork, and maybe develop a little eight to 12 foot shot.  But if he gets that together, he’s got a chance to be in the NBA.” 

The best of Minnesota’s new players next season could certainly be Memphis freshman guard Andre Hollins.  The 6-1 Hollins averaged 23.5 points per game during his senior year and was Tennessee’s Mr. Basketball. 

“I think he’s special," Pulley said.  "I really, really like him.  He’s a strong body.  He’s an outstanding guard.  A good handler, very athletic.  Jumps out of the gym, but he’s got a great jump shot.  He’s got a three point shot, a mid-range shot and he’s quick.  I think he’s going to help the Gophers a lot.”  

 

Worth Noting    

Pulley said the two best high school seniors next season will be Hopkins point guard Siyani Chambers and Benilde-St. Margaret’s Isaiah Zierden, a two-guard who Pulley believes ranks with the best prep shooters in America.  He said both are “mid-major” college prospects who could excel in the right programs. 

Maya Moore of the Lynx has been named WNBA Rookie of the Month for July.  She led all rookies in scoring at 13 points per game.  Teammate Seimone Augustus is the Western Conference Player of the Month after averaging 19 points per game in July.

New Britain relief pitcher Tyler Robertson is the Twins Minor League Player of the Week.  Last week he was 1-0 with one save while pitching five innings, allowing no runs and striking out seven.   

Twins reliever Glen Perkins has allowed just one earned run in his last 18 appearances.  He is 3-0 with a 0.59 ERA in 15.1 innings.  

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier surprised fans today by cutting left tackle Bryant McKinnie.

Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson on new teammate and quarterback Donovan McNabb: “I’ve been able to play with Donovan a couple times in the Pro Bowl. I’ve been around him enough to know that he’s a great leader, full of energy."  

Former Viking and now KFAN radio host Mike Morris is the new strength and conditioning coach for athletic teams at Concordia, St. Paul.  

St. Thomas wide receiver Fritz Waldvogel and tackle Chad Vandergriff, along with Bethel guard Mitch Elliot, have been named to the first team North offense for the D3 Senior Classic preseason All-American team.  St. Olaf running back Leon Clark was named to the North second offense while on the second North defensive team are Gustavus safety Brad Kruckeberg and Carleton linebacker Mark Scoglund.  Players, including those who were listed as honorable mention preseason All-Americans, are eligible for invitations to the December 10 D3 Senior Classic in Salem, Virginia, a post season all-star game for Division III players.

St. Thomas football coach Glenn Caruso will speak at a C.O.R.E.S luncheon on Thursday, November 10.  Twins curator Clyde Doepner is the speaker on Thursday, September 8.  C.O.R.E.S is an acronym for coaches, officials, educators, reporters and sports fans.  

Former Pioneer Press sportswriter Gregg Wong emailed about the Men’s Doubles Fundraiser on Tuesday, August 16 at Minikahda Club.  Proceeds go to Saint Paul Urban Tennis, a nonprofit organization annually offering tennis and life skills to more than 4,000 youth.  Additional information is available from the SPUT office, 651-222-2879.

 

Mike Morris
 

Glenn Caruso