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View Full Version : Welcome To Duke Matt Jones!



Greg_Newton
11-28-2011, 06:45 PM
https://twitter.com/#!/matt_jones8/status/141298183706918912


After long consideration with my parents and people around me , we felt it was best that I commit to DUKE UNIVERSITY !
14 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone

Mike Corey
11-28-2011, 06:50 PM
Huge, awesome, wonderful get.

dcar1985
11-28-2011, 06:53 PM
Welcome to Duke.....huge get, great shooter!

Johnboy
11-28-2011, 06:54 PM
Welcome to Duke, Mr. Jones. You have chosen wisely. May your time at Duke exceed your wildest expectations!

Faison1
11-28-2011, 07:03 PM
Sweet!! Can't wait to watch this kid!

ncexnyc
11-28-2011, 07:06 PM
Nice to see some young men can reach a decision without the dog and pony show.

dukedoc
11-28-2011, 07:11 PM
And the long line of superb Duke guards continues... Nice!

BD80
11-28-2011, 07:14 PM
2013 TX 6'4" SG - comparisons to Ray Allen? Sweet!

http://www.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/showthread.php?25771-2013-recruit-Matt-Jones-has-been-offered&highlight=matt+jones

kostar
11-28-2011, 07:22 PM
matt_jones8 Matt jones
After long consideration with my parents and people around me , we felt it was best that I commit to DUKE UNIVERSITY !

flyingdutchdevil
11-28-2011, 07:23 PM
2013 TX 6'4" SG - comparisons to Ray Allen? Sweet!

http://www.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/showthread.php?25771-2013-recruit-Matt-Jones-has-been-offered&highlight=matt+jones

I actually though of Ray Allen when I was watching this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwQdXMme3lo

I know it's only a highlight video, but you can see his beautifully quick release and absolute confidence in his shot.

He's not the quickest or most athletic player, but he can shoot with the best of them.

JasonEvans
11-28-2011, 07:24 PM
And here is a tweet from Matt's good friend and fellow Texan Julius Randle--


@J30_RANDLE Yoooo!!!! My brother @matt_jones8 just committed to duke !!! I'm so happy for him man .. Love you dude !! Congratulate him tweeps !!

I hope Matt gets to work on Julius, convincing him how great it would be to be teammates ;)

Regarding Matt, his outside stroke will be a welcome addition to Duke right when Dawkins and Curry leave campus.

-Jason "this kid is a pure shooter/scorer -- if he hits the weight room hard for the next 18 months... WATCH OUT!" Evans

OldPhiKap
11-28-2011, 07:33 PM
(putting out the) Welcome Matt!

juise
11-28-2011, 07:42 PM
I liked that when I did a Google news search for Matt a few minutes ago, the first article that came up was an Evan Daniels Scout article posted to Inside Carolina this morning entitled: "UNC Making Up Ground for Jones" (I'll spare you a link to IC).

Whoops. :)

OldPhiKap
11-28-2011, 07:47 PM
I liked that when I did a Google news search for Matt a few minutes ago, the first article that came up was an Evan Daniels Scout article posted to Inside Carolina this morning entitled: "UNC Making Up Ground for Jones" (I'll spare you a link to IC).

Whoops. :)

Favorite post on IC so far:

"he is too good of a shooter to come here. he didn't want to hit a couple 3's and then go to the bench for a upperclassmen."

One loss, and the wolves are out already.

CameronDuke
11-28-2011, 07:58 PM
Duke loves their guards from the Lone Star State. Daniel Ewing (in my opinion, one of the most underrated players Duke has had in recent memory), Rasheed Sulaimon, and now Matt Jones. Am I missing anyone else guys?

Welcome to Duke, Mr. Jones! I sincerely think you just made one of the best decisions of your life!

moonpie23
11-28-2011, 08:04 PM
yes!!!!!!!! YES !!!!!!!!! Welcome MATT!!!!

come on down!!!

J4Kop99
11-28-2011, 08:06 PM
What great news this is. I had not been closely following our recruits recently, so this comes as a pleasant surprise to me. However, I do know a decent amount about his game and I always like a pure shooter. Congrats Matt and good luck.

roywhite
11-28-2011, 08:06 PM
Duke loves their guards from the Lone Star State. Daniel Ewing (in my opinion, one of the most underrated players Duke has had in recent memory), Rasheed Sulaimon, and now Matt Jones. Am I missing anyone else guys?Welcome to Duke, Mr. Jones! I sincerely think you just made one of the best decisions of your life!

Going back, we've had Tate Armstrong from Houston in the 1970's and Thomas Hill from Lancaster, TX as part of the great 1991-92 teams (2nd leading scorer in 1992...that might win a bar bet)

Congrats to Matt Jones and look forward to seeing him play.

Greg_Newton
11-28-2011, 08:09 PM
In the class of 2013, Jones is ranked #21st, #23rd and #28th overall, by ESPN, Scout and Rivals (the worst for basketball), respectively. Great shooter with a quick release, solid midrange game, smooth but not flashy. Athletic enough to finish with the occasional dunk but not an elite athlete. Curious if anyone knows about his on-ball defending?

Scout has him as a 5-star and #5 SG in the class, ESPN a 97-grade and #9 SG in the class (though their top 10 SGs are all 97s), Rivals a 4-star and #6 SG in the class. Should be a solid complementary player who really emerges after a couple years in the program, IMO, and hopefully help our already strong standing with Randle!

Also, I kinda like that we're going to have some Texas twang on the squad over the next few years. :cool:

Oriole Way
11-28-2011, 08:09 PM
Great pickup for us, glad we finally got a new commitment after what seemed like a long wait.

As Jason mentioned, really hope he helps us land Randle.

Reilly
11-28-2011, 08:30 PM
Duke loves their guards from the Lone Star State. Daniel Ewing (in my opinion, one of the most underrated players Duke has had in recent memory), Rasheed Sulaimon, and now Matt Jones. Am I missing anyone else guys?

Welcome to Duke, Mr. Jones! I sincerely think you just made one of the best decisions of your life!

Thomas Hill

Newton_14
11-28-2011, 08:32 PM
In the class of 2013, Jones is ranked #21st, #23rd and #28th overall, by ESPN, Scout and Rivals (the worst for basketball), respectively. Great shooter with a quick release, solid midrange game, smooth but not flashy. Athletic enough to finish with the occasional dunk but not an elite athlete. Curious if anyone knows about his on-ball defending?

Scout has him as a 5-star and #5 SG in the class, ESPN a 97-grade and #9 SG in the class (though their top 10 SGs are all 97s), Rivals a 4-star and #6 SG in the class. Should be a solid complementary player who really emerges after a couple years in the program, IMO, and hopefully help our already strong standing with Randle!

Also, I kinda like that we're going to have some Texas twang on the squad over the next few years. :cool:

Watzone stated in the July thread linked in a post above Jones is a good on-ball defender though someone else opined it was a weakness that needed improvement. Looks like a very solid player with good length. I love the fact that he is a really good rebounder as well. It just makes a team much stronger defensively with a 3/SF that rebounds well.

I am excited about this kid. Nice to lock him up way early in the process.

Welcome to Duke Mr. Jones!

superdave
11-28-2011, 08:37 PM
Wow. Nice surprise. I had a good feeling about him, and was thinking of posting in the Class of 2013 thread to see if anyone had any clue where we stood. It's always nice when a guy like this climbs on the bus and you dont have to sweat it.

Welcome to Duke, Mr. Jones!

subzero02
11-28-2011, 08:42 PM
Hopefully he will become as prolific a 3 point shooter as Redick, Langdon, Dawkins and Thornton.

OZZIE4DUKE
11-28-2011, 08:48 PM
Welcome to Duke, Matt. I look forward to watching you in Cameron! :cool:

grossbus
11-28-2011, 09:05 PM
welcome to Duke, Matt!!!

Swardy
11-28-2011, 09:09 PM
Matt Jones highlight video from this past weekends Thanksgiving Hoopfest in Texas
http://www.prepforce.com/video/640/matt-jones-highlights-from-thanksgiving-hoopfest

UrinalCake
11-28-2011, 09:24 PM
Matt Jones highlight video from this past weekends Thanksgiving Hoopfest in Texas

Wow, that had to be the worst highlight video I've ever seen :). I'm excited about Jones though.

Bluedevil114
11-28-2011, 09:27 PM
I have been waiting for this announcement. So excited about this kid and what he brings to Duke!! Hopefully another great shooter, awesome character and good defender. He was so excited about Duke on his visit that he almost committed that day. Glad to have you!! Welcome to Duke, Matt!!

delfrio
11-28-2011, 09:40 PM
Hopefully he will become as prolific a 3 point shooter as Redick, Langdon, Dawkins and Thornton.

Too soon... Dawkins needs more shot attempts.

chrishoke
11-28-2011, 10:13 PM
Duke loves their guards from the Lone Star State. Daniel Ewing (in my opinion, one of the most underrated players Duke has had in recent memory), Rasheed Sulaimon, and now Matt Jones. Am I missing anyone else guys?

Welcome to Duke, Mr. Jones! I sincerely think you just made one of the best decisions of your life!

Doug NMcNeely from Texas was Coach K's first recruit at Duke!

Major247
11-28-2011, 10:18 PM
Wow, that had to be the worst highlight video I've ever seen :). I'm excited about Jones though.

Try this one

http://www.ballislife.com/64-matt-jones-is-a-straight-sharp-shooter-drops-a-easy-29-pts-at-the-thanksgiving-hoopfest/

moonpie23
11-28-2011, 10:23 PM
Try this one

http://www.ballislife.com/64-matt-jones-is-a-straight-sharp-shooter-drops-a-easy-29-pts-at-the-thanksgiving-hoopfest/

smooth as the other side of the pillow.... :)

jimsumner
11-28-2011, 10:23 PM
If we're going to run down the list of Duke hoops Texans, we can't forget Willie Hodge, Duke's greatest fouler.

He actually had some game. But man did he foul.

One time Duke was getting off the bus at Chapel Hill. Somebody asked "where's Willie?" Bill Foster replied that he had fouled out on thebus ride over.

OldPhiKap
11-28-2011, 10:33 PM
smooth as the other side of the pillow.... :)

Smooth as a baby's bottom. And just as explosive!


After reading the comments above about his outside shot, I was surprised to see how well he fills the lane and drives as well. Looks like a scorer, not just a shooter.

I think he'll fit in just fine.

OldPhiKap
11-28-2011, 10:36 PM
If we're going to run down the list of Duke hoops Texans, we can't forget Willie Hodge, Duke's greatest fouler.

He actually had some game. But man did he foul.

One time Duke was getting off the bus at Chapel Hill. Somebody asked "where's Willie?" Bill Foster replied that he had fouled out on thebus ride over.

We would be remiss if we did not also give some props to Alexis Jones (no kin AFAIK), who Coach P signed in the upcoming class for the women. Top five or ten player, depending on the source. From Midland.

BD80
11-28-2011, 10:51 PM
We would be remiss if we did not also give some props to Alexis Jones (no kin AFAIK), who Coach P signed in the upcoming class for the women. Top five or ten player, depending on the source. From Midland.

We be Jonesin'

Faustus
11-28-2011, 10:54 PM
Not long ago one of the Comcast sports channels in this area ran that most legendary of Duke-Kentucky games, and I was reminded in watching it of what a fine game Thomas Hill played, made a huge basket in the late going. Also had forgotten how high he could sky. Shooting guards from Texas are always welcome at Duke.

UrinalCake
11-28-2011, 10:56 PM
Sounds like our rivals will be trying to keep up with the Joneses.

Thank you, thank you...

OldPhiKap
11-28-2011, 10:58 PM
We be Jonesin'

If this were many other schools, I'd say we "need that cash to feed that Jones."

But we don't do that. And few would get the reference anyway. So forget I said it.



The Welcome Matt is out!

ChillinDuke
11-28-2011, 11:44 PM
Great to have you on board!

- Chillin

moonpie23
11-28-2011, 11:51 PM
wow....matt staring out with a wheelie!! choosing the right school AND irritating that school down the road at the same time..

GO MATT !!

OrangeDevil
11-29-2011, 12:01 AM
I want to join the celebration. Now Jabari Parker, come on down!

SeattleIrish
11-29-2011, 12:09 AM
Very excited to have MJ on board! The kid is an amazing shooter - can't get enough of that!

s.i.

p.s. - great link:

http://northcarolina.scout.com/a.z?s=78&p=2&c=1133392&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fnorthcarolina.scout.com% 2f2%2f1133392.html

-bdbd
11-29-2011, 01:31 AM
Welcome to Duke, Matt - the Cameron Crazies are going to LOVE you!! :D

Boy, that Rasheed Sulaimon kid sure can recruit! (was rumored to be working on Mr. Jones...)
Now Rasheed, there's a certain phone number in Georgia and one in Vegas we'd like for you to call.... :rolleyes:
And a certain tall Texan in 2013...

Matt seemed to have a terrific visit to Duke a couple weels ago, and seemed to be giving Duke good vibes. But this is just wonderful news, and a well-timed arrival in 2013.

Again, welcome Matt!!!



P.S. Juise, don't worry, it's only a matter of time before the IC flock decides, en masse, that "we didn't really want him anyway..." HA!

jamesfrommaiden
11-29-2011, 10:47 AM
How sweet it is... If Penn State is LB University, why can't we start calling Duke SG U? Another great wing who can drill the three. Thank you for choosing to come to the greatest university and basketball, program in the nation. May your time at Duke be fullfilling and exceed your wildest dreams of playing basketball under the greatest coach ever, and the greatest most passionate fans in the NCAA...

BlueDevilCorvette!
11-29-2011, 11:15 AM
At CTC, I took this picture and I didn't really know who the young man was sitting beside Rasheed. Now I know! Welcome to Duke Matt!

2155

licc85
11-29-2011, 12:27 PM
Smooth as a baby's bottom. And just as explosive!


After reading the comments above about his outside shot, I was surprised to see how well he fills the lane and drives as well. Looks like a scorer, not just a shooter.

I think he'll fit in just fine.

I don't know if I would necessarily describe him as "explosive," but I do like his extremely quick shooting motion. He gets his feet set very very quickly and his release is Ray Allen-esque: the ball is out of his hands almost immediately when he goes up. Defenders will have a hard time guarding him if he makes good use of shot fakes. I think he will draw plenty of comparisons to a similar player who is on our squad this year: Andre Dawkins, so I'll do the same.

On an athletic level, he is not close to Andre. I don't think he's going to be getting tomahawk dunks in traffic the way Dre does on rare occasions, but he does have something that I WISH Dre would work on: a pull-up mid range jumper that he actually is willing to use in transition. I cannot express how key that shot is. I'm not sure how Matt's handles are, he doesn't seem to have game breaking quickness, so that mid range shot will be extremely important for him.

Andre seems to either want to shoot an NBA range 3 (which he perfectly capable of hitting) or get all the way to the rim, and is not willing to settle for anything in between. I just wish he would work on developing more a of mid range game so he is not so predictable in opponents' scouting reports. Matt Jones seems to have that shot, and I can't wait to see him put it to use wearing our colors.

duke1983
11-29-2011, 12:46 PM
One of the things about Matt is he has very long arms which helps him in the rebounding department and on the defensive end. Like most kids out of high school he will need to bulk up a little and improve moving without the ball and coming off screens. Either way, excellent shooter and great kid. Similar to Rasheed, he's also very coachable.

NSDukeFan
11-29-2011, 01:49 PM
Very excited to have Matt going to Duke in 2013. I expect I will very much enjoy watching him play. I hope he is a good rebounder like others have stated. That skill certainly comes in handy.

watzone
11-29-2011, 02:08 PM
I am having format issues with the site so please forgive, but here is a blurb on Matt Jones with quotes from the man himself. http://bluedevilnation.net/2011/11/matt-jones-elect-to-play-his-collega-basketball-at-duke/ I like this kids game a lot and he is a stand up guy. He can dribble penetrate, pass well, hut runners and is deadly from 3 and plays good D. He is a program player and a 3 point specialist that has a pretty complete game.

Steven43
11-29-2011, 02:09 PM
I actually though of Ray Allen when I was watching this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwQdXMme3lo

I know it's only a highlight video, but you can see his beautifully quick release and absolute confidence in his shot.

He's not the quickest or most athletic player, but he can shoot with the best of them.

I am really excited that Matt Jones has decided to attend Duke. Ever since Rasheed decided on the Blue Devils I have been anxiously awaiting the next great recruit to sign up. Matt looks like he might turn out to be a good shooter on the college level. I wish I knew more about the rest of his game, but I've only seen highlight clips.

As to Matt reminding people of Ray Allen, I don't really see it. If you watch Ray's jumper closely you will see that there is a definite pause after he brings the ball into position to shoot and then he lets it fly, usually very accurately. Matt, on the other hand, has almost zero pause. His motion is virtually continual. That is not normally the way the great shooters do it. That being said, there is more than one way to consistently shoot an accurate jumper. However, at this point, Matt is nowhere near to the textbook jump-shooting form of Ray Allen.

G man
11-29-2011, 02:12 PM
Man I love the state of Texas.

DUKIE V(A)
11-29-2011, 04:44 PM
Exciting news indeed. There is always room for players and people like Matt in the Duke program. Congrats to Coach K and his staff on another great signing. Congrats to Matt and his family!

I am really excited about the quality of player AND people Duke has been signing. It's great being a Dukie.

gumbomoop
03-31-2012, 11:58 AM
Rosters for the All-American Championship games [high school] in New Orleans, played Sunday (tomorrow) aft. Don't know of any live TV, but delayed TV on ESPNU [DirecTV #208] early morn Mon (2/2). East-West 1:30-3 a.m.; North-South 3-4:30 a.m.

http://scouthoops.scout.com/2/1163480.html

Matt Jones on West squad. These all-star games feature mostly seniors, a smattering of juniors, so Matt's inclusion is nice honor. Ditto for Nate Britt. Other ACC guys include Joel James (UNC), Robert Carter (GT), Shaquille Cleare (Md), Evan Nolte (UVa).

Noel, McGary, and Tarczewski all listed on East with Nate Britt. Wow.

If Matt can get some PT, that would be good, as the excellent Harrison twins (big guards, also juniors from Texas) are his teammates.

I think this was the game last Spring where I first saw Sulaimon, so as one of the juniors, he impressed me. The rosters this season look stronger than last year.

dukedoc
03-31-2012, 12:07 PM
I'll confess, when I saw the words "Welcome to Duke" at the top of the message board, I got excited... alas...

dairedevil
03-31-2012, 12:49 PM
I'll confess, when I saw the words "Welcome to Duke" at the top of the message board, I got excited... alas...

I forget to check out the start date on threads...and get really frustrated when I realize that it was something started a year ago and I need to go to the end for the most recent info. I do understand the rationale of not starting multiple threads on a topic, especially when we're looking at the umpteenth "we need a new big man coach" or something like it.

There has been so much info on the guys we're hoping will come next year that I forget. What class is Matt Jones?

gumbomoop
03-31-2012, 12:55 PM
What class is Matt Jones?

2013, same as Jabari Parker, Julius Randle (a Texan who is supposedly friends with Matt).

dcar1985
03-31-2012, 01:01 PM
Am I the only one seeing Dre 2.0 when they see Matt play?!? I really hope he's putting in major work on his handle and cup game in his off time....the stroke looks great though

moonpie23
03-31-2012, 01:13 PM
awesome. glad the other guys didn't make up TOO much ground. ;)

Andre Buckner Fan
04-12-2012, 05:02 PM
Nice to see some young men can reach a decision without the dog and pony show.

I couldn't agree more. These televised specials have got to stop.

jimsumner
04-12-2012, 08:02 PM
Am I the only one seeing Dre 2.0 when they see Matt play?!? I really hope he's putting in major work on his handle and cup game in his off time....the stroke looks great though

Perhaps we should wait until--I don't know-at least his senior year of high school before we decide how good he's going to be based on very limited intel.

How do we know he's not going to be J.J. Redick 2.0? Or Trajan Langdon 2.0?

CameronBornAndBred
04-12-2012, 08:04 PM
Perhaps we should wait until--I don't know-at least his senior year of high school before we decide how good he's going to be based on very limited intel.

How do we know he's not going to be J.J. Redick 2.0? Or Trajan Langdon 2.0?
How about Matt Jones 1.0? I bet that's the way he'd like it to be seen.
:D

Johnny Chill
04-12-2012, 08:07 PM
Am I the only one seeing Dre 2.0 when they see Matt play?!? I really hope he's putting in major work on his handle and cup game in his off time....the stroke looks great though


Perhaps we should wait until--I don't know-at least his senior year of high school before we decide how good he's going to be based on very limited intel.

How do we know he's not going to be J.J. Redick 2.0? Or Trajan Langdon 2.0?

Jones looks on the smaller size compared to Sheed. Because of Dawkins inability to develop his game that last 2 season, everyone is concerned about the next SG that doesnt show the ability to handle the ball.

Sheed has decent handles, but not close to Rivers ability to go one on one yet.

Duvall
04-12-2012, 08:16 PM
Jones looks on the smaller size compared to Sheed. Because of Dawkins inability to develop his game that last 2 season, everyone is concerned about the next SG that doesnt show the ability to handle the ball.

I don't think it's accurate to say that "everyone" is concerned about that. Especially since Jones has yet to finish his junior year of high school.

dcar1985
04-12-2012, 08:22 PM
Perhaps we should wait until--I don't know-at least his senior year of high school before we decide how good he's going to be based on very limited intel.

How do we know he's not going to be J.J. Redick 2.0? Or Trajan Langdon 2.0?

Didn't mention at all how good he's going to be, just that his game looks similar to Dre's right now....

jimsumner
04-12-2012, 08:25 PM
Permit me to be less unsubtle here.

Few--if any-posters here have actually seen Matt Jones play in person. He still has one season left in high school before he shows up at Duke. To me, it seems premature and counterproductive to use video highlights of a high-school junior to predict a college career-arc. We simply don't know enough to place limitations on him and it's not like he's running out of time to address whatever flaws his game may have.

A pet peeve, to be sure.

dcar1985
04-12-2012, 08:36 PM
Maybe I should've said JJ 2.0

Its quite common to hear someone say ..."Who does player x's game remind you of?" That's all it was, not trying to predict the kids career or potential

rotogod00
05-03-2012, 07:47 AM
Paul Biancardi over at ESPN tweeted last night that Jones is the best pure shooter in HS today regardless of class.

watzone
05-14-2012, 06:27 PM
Here is a recent interview with Matt Jones that most will enjoy reading - http://bluedevilnation.net/2012/05/texas-shooter-a-matt-jones-update/ He averaged 15.5 ppg this past weekend in the Nike EYBL.

Li_Duke
05-15-2012, 11:52 AM
Thanks for sharing this with us, Watzone! I did enjoy the read; it's always good to read about a future Blue Devil.


Here is a recent interview with Matt Jones that most will enjoy reading - http://bluedevilnation.net/2012/05/texas-shooter-a-matt-jones-update/ He averaged 15.5 ppg this past weekend in the Nike EYBL.

gumbomoop
06-02-2012, 12:31 AM
Profile of AAU team of Matt Jones and Julius Randle. Coach emphasizes defense, disciplined play, execution, rather than run-and-gun. Sure hope Matt Jones's D is as impressive as his 3-bombing. Sure hope Julius Randle comes to Duke.

http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/boys-basketball/post/_/id/5560/summer-schooled-texas-titans

duke blue brewcrew
06-02-2012, 04:55 PM
Profile of AAU team of Matt Jones and Julius Randle. Coach emphasizes defense, disciplined play, execution, rather than run-and-gun. Sure hope Matt Jones's D is as impressive as his 3-bombing. Sure hope Julius Randle comes to Duke.

http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/boys-basketball/post/_/id/5560/summer-schooled-texas-titans

thanks for sharing. i love reading about jones playing in a system that focuses on defense first. i hope matt is in randle's ear frequently about coming to duke!