Lamont Jones

[G man]

ESPN is reporting a new recruit who Duke is pursuing. What does anyone know about Lamont Jones and what he brings to the table?

[FireOgilvie]

ESPN is reporting a new recruit who Duke is pursuing. What does anyone know about Lamont Jones and what he brings to the table?

He has decommitted from both Louisville and Virginia Tech. He goes by "Mo-Mo." He's currently the point guard of Oak Hill. I haven't seen him play this year, but I'm guessing he would be Duke's 3rd choice behind (obviously) Wall and also Bledsoe.

There's a nice scouting report here from ESPN (http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=43194&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb %2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fplayer%3frecruitId%3d431 94).

Edit: I would like to see Duke get at least one PG this year. If Brandon Knight wants to come to Duke in 2010, he would have no problem starting over almost anyone (and a 2 PG system never hurt either... just ask Villanova).

[G man]

I think this may be a stretch to even mention him by ESPN. Scout does not even say anything about him being interested in Duke. Rivals has nothing either. ESPN is usually the last to get any info so I was taken back.

[FireOgilvie]

Here's a video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nBghqog8MI

[G man]

He looks like a scorer not what we need. We need a true point guard. I sure hope this is our last option

[geraldsneighbor]

I'm almost positive he originally went to the now defunct American Christian Academy and played beside Memphis' Tyreke Evans. Yes he was a nice player but he was just that. He committed to Louisville very early as well. I would have to say he falls very well behind Bledsoe as far as Duke being interested in him. He doesn't seem like a Duke guy and I'm judging that by his coach at American Christian who was a complete knuckle head.

[whereinthehellami]

I follow the Hokies and the MoMo decomittment has some smoke around it. His mother has taken charge of his recruiting and is demanding. USC-W came out of nowhere to get involved with him, after his mother said that he wanted to decommit from the Hokies to be closer to home (NY City). I can't believe and hope that Duke would not get involved with this mess. Maybe Duke is just in the gathering info stage.

This does not bode well for Wall, though like alot of people I'm not sure how good a shot Duke ever had with Wall. I think its incredible that Coach K was able to get Wall to visit.

[Devilsfan]

In my opinion we are next year very much like the heels team this year in one respect. Very, very talented at most positions but in need of an engine to run our Basketball Ferrari. Wall, like Lawson this year, would be a FAST high powered engine.

[Icarus09]

He looks like a scorer not what we need. We need a true point guard. I sure hope this is our last option

I'm not saying we should be pursuing him but I think it's important to recognize that on a youtube highlight reel, the clips that are most likely to make the cut for guards are their shots. He may be a gunner but he also maybe making a lot of good passes and assists. It's hard to get a good take on a player just from these videos. But, they are useful to an extent I suppose.

[jimsumner]

How many times have posters on this board chastized K for not having back-up plans, not having options? (that's a rhetorical question, please don't look it up).

So, when he and/or his staff does some preliminary research on PG option number 3, we have a thread about how this bodes ill and why is Duke looking at this guy.

Can't win, I suppose.

[BlueintheFace]

How many times have posters on this board chastized K for not having back-up plans, not having options? (that's a rhetorical question, please don't look it up).

So, when he and/or his staff does some preliminary research on PG option number 3, we have a thread about how this bodes ill and why is Duke looking at this guy.

Can't win, I suppose.

yep. ... and that is a big reason why we are staring 1,000 posts in this face regarding John Wall. Schizophrenia is this board's middle name (although I too partake in the madness sometimes I must admit).

[Icarus09]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/recruitinginsider/2009/04/former_va_tech_recruit_looking.html?wprss=recruiti nginsider

From this short bit by the Washington Post it seems that we maybe too late anyway. Southern Cal and Florida seem to be tops on his list now.

"He (Jones) said he also has heard from coaches at Kentucky, Arkansas and Duke, while Coach Steve Smith said that Seton Hall and St. John's also had made inquiries. But it seems unlikely he will consider those schools because, he said, "There's not a lot of time left in the process. You can't get to know a person in a two- or four-week time frame."

I guess this also depends on what you interpret "those schools" to mean. All of them or just Seton Hall and St. John's?

[gotham devil]

http://www.nbadraft.net/node/5062

Sr. G Lamont "MoMo" Jones - 5-11, 190 lbs. - Undeclared
Jones, who recently pulled out of a Virginia Tech commitment, was the best player on the court beyond a shadow of a doubt. He has an incredible feel for the game, looks just as comfortable setting up his teammates as scoring himself and plays strong defense. Maybe part of that is because he's still playing for something - a bigger, better offer than the ones he has on the line right now. All I know is, if a team like Duke misses out on John Wall and Eric Bledsoe, MoMo can really play.

[eddiehaskell]

If he's the PG for Oak Hill....Oak Hill is playing right now on ESPN. Yep, they just mentioned him and said he's instant offense.

[Dukebasketball32]

Ive been watching him in that invitational on ESPN. He looks real explosive. Someone that could really help us at the PG position. Its a shame we started talking to him so late

[FireOgilvie]

I saw him play in the semi-finals game against St. Benedict's... I think he had 22 points. He's definitely a scorer and he plays with a lot of swagger that Duke could use. I would say being from Oak Hill (and from what I saw), he's more ready to play big minutes right away in college than Bledsoe. Bledsoe is really good, but he doesn't have a great jumpshot and he's fairly raw. Given that, Bledsoe is much quicker and more athletic than Mo-Mo. He's also a better passer. Bledsoe has a ton of potential, whereas Mo-Mo's game is more polished (in my opinion). There's a reason why Bledsoe's name has been flying up the charts (great athlete, great quickness, great potential).

[Icarus09]

From Slam Online:

"More of a scoring point or a combo guard than a true floor general, “Momo” has been on tilt for certain stretches of this tourney. Whether it’s getting to the basket and finishing tough shots with contact or knocking down deep jumpers with a hand in his face, he’s certainly proved to be an explosive point producer."

http://slamonline.com/online/blogs/school-daze-by-aggrey-sam/2009/04/trimming-the-fat/

[Newton_14]

I caught a small portion of the game on ESPN today and thought he looked pretty good. Could handle the ball really well, was able to penetrate the lane and get his shot off despite his size, and has a nice looking stroke on his jumper.

Certainly a future D1 guard that will help the team he chooses.

[Kewlswim]

yep. ... and that is a big reason why we are staring 1,000 posts in this face regarding John Wall. Schizophrenia is this board's middle name (although I too partake in the madness sometimes I must admit).

Hi,

It is fun to talk about this. I am enjoying some of the insights people--such as Watzone--have on the situation.

GO DUKE!

[DUKIE V(A)]

Based on a couple games I have seen him play, Momo looks like a genuine offensive talent and potentially explosive scorer. He looks strong and can finish in traffic against bigger guys. I can't help but like his swagger on the court. Sounds like a longshot at this time based on what others have written. Seems like USC is a strong possibility.

[nicktonyg22]

It seems that Lamont Jones has once again decommitted, this time from USC with Tim Floyd leaving the program.

http://fanpagez.com/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=23411 (http://http://fanpagez.com/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=23411)

Any chance that Duke starts pursuing Jones as a late backup plan to Wall and Bledsoe?

It was reported there was interest before, and Jones seems like a quick guard that could help with depth, on-ball defense and scoring/distributing.

Thoughts?

[Bluedog]

It seems that Lamont Jones has once again decommitted, this time from USC with Tim Floyd leaving the program.

http://fanpagez.com/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=23411 (http://http://fanpagez.com/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=23411)

Any chance that Duke starts pursuing Jones as a late backup plan to Wall and Bledsoe?

It was reported there was interest before, and Jones seems like a quick guard that could help with depth, on-ball defense and scoring/distributing.

Thoughts?

I don't think Duke will pursue him based on what I read...but I don't have any inside information, and anything is possible. My guess is that he ends up at Kentucky - Calipari really needs another PG from the Class of 2009 and has plenty of open scholarships available. ;) In all seriousness, it sounds like Arizona is a likely destination.

[UrinalCake]

While we desperately need a PG this upcoming season, there would be longer term ramifications of burning a scholarship on a non one-and-done player. I'd be surprised if we don't stick with what we've got and then reload in 2010.

[miramar]

If we get a Lamont we need to have a Fred, but I'm not sure if there are any out there. What ever happened to guys named Fred anyway? It used to be that you couldn't turn on the TV without seeing one (Astaire, Mertz, MacMurray, Munster, Flinstone, Rogers, Thompson...)

[natedog4ever]

The hell with the Freds, what happened to the Gradys of the world?

[BD80]

If we get a Lamont we need to have a Fred, but I'm not sure if there are any out there. What ever happened to guys named Fred anyway? It used to be that you couldn't turn on the TV without seeing one (Astaire, Mertz, MacMurray, Munster, Flinstone, Rogers, Thompson...)

How about Freddy Krueger? Eight movies, a TV series, another movie in the works, comic books and video games. Maybe he killed all of the other Freds.

[whereinthehellami]

I would hope that Duke would avoid this guy. He has cast his lot with VT and USC and backed out both times.

[SupaDave]

I would hope that Duke would avoid this guy. He has cast his lot with VT and USC and backed out both times.

Actually both of those are pretty understandable. VT has had more than it's share of tragedies recently and USC has quickly become a tragedy...

[JimBD]

I wonder if he is worth the risk. If Tim Floyd paid him or his handlers anything under the table, whatever school he goes to may find themselves forfeiting games because of using an ineligible player. If Duke is seriously looking at him, I think it would take a hugh effort to get satisfied that he will not have future eligibility issues.

[speedevil2001]

If we get a Lamont we need to have a Fred, but I'm not sure if there are any out there. What ever happened to guys named Fred anyway? It used to be that you couldn't turn on the TV without seeing one (Astaire, Mertz, MacMurray, Munster, Flinstone, Rogers, Thompson...)

what r u talking about?

[speedevil2001]

I wonder if he is worth the risk. If Tim Floyd paid him or his handlers anything under the table, whatever school he goes to may find themselves forfeiting games because of using an ineligible player. If Duke is seriously looking at him, I think it would take a hugh effort to get satisfied that he will not have future eligibility issues.

could duke use him..yes
does duke need guard depth..yes
is he worth the risk..yes
is duke going after him...i doubt coach k is, at most taking a closer look into the idea of having him at duke, but thats it...i doubt he ends up at duke..on to 2010

[miramar]

what r u talking about?

Fred and Lamont were two characters in a TV show that surely ran before you were born, but it was really funny so you should try to watch some episodes on TVLand.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanford_and_Son

[JasonEvans]

Fred and Lamont were two characters in a TV show that surely ran before you were born, but it was really funny so you should try to watch some episodes on TVLand.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanford_and_Son

Click here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-QXGZpmWlg) and enjoy yourself!

-Jason

[Devilsfan]

If we don't beat carolina soon we may be hearing a lot of "Elizabeth I'm coming it's the big one!". Just kidding.

[miramar]

If we don't beat carolina soon we may be hearing a lot of "Elizabeth I'm coming it's the big one!". Just kidding.

Actually, it seems that in the Triangle you should say "I'm coming, Weezie," Obama style.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/10/in-attempt-at-h.html

Of course, if people are too young to remember Sanford and Son, they're also too young to remember The Jeffersons, so it probably doesn't make much of a difference.

[miramar]

While the ESPN link on the first page of this thread originally included Duke as a possibility, the updated link (6/12/09) only lists Arizona and Florida:

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=43194&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb %2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fplayer%3frecruitId%3d431 94

[DUKIE V(A)]

I do not know much about Lamont Jones other than he is a very good basketball player. Seems like the real deal on the offensive end and that he could help us right away on the court. From what has been written, it seems like an unlikely match between he and Duke as I am not sure how interested each is in the other. It would be an interesting match though.

[Franzez]

I do not know much about Lamont Jones other than he is a very good basketball player. Seems like the real deal on the offensive end and that he could help us right away on the court. From what has been written, it seems like an unlikely match between he and Duke as I am not sure how interested each is in the other. It would be an interesting match though.
No way Duke recruits Lamont Jones, he has a checkered HS history which has included 3 different HS stops and 5 decommitments(if you include before he started his HS career).

[El_Diablo]

Lamont Jones committed to Arizona today:

http://arizona.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?ReturnTo=&sid=&script=content.asp&cid=959192&fid=&tid=&mid=&rid=

[geraldsneighbor]

Touch em all Lamont. That's 4th college for you.

[whereinthehellami]

Lamont Jones committed to Arizona today:

http://arizona.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?ReturnTo=&sid=&script=content.asp&cid=959192&fid=&tid=&mid=&rid=

And the campus of Arizona started smoldering with smoke visibly pouring out of the gym. Keep an eye on AZ, there has been a win at all costs vibe coming forth from Tucson. Remember they made a pass at Lance "The Chosen One [at least by his entourage]" Stephenson also.