Verdell Jones

[Da Coach]

Announced last night, Verdell Jones commits to Indiana.--

http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2008/05/05/centrals_jones_picks_surprise_indiana_as_college_choice

This seems like a good choice for Jones. Indiana doesn't have any other point guards. I am not sure VJ is ready to be the #1 PG on a Big Ten team, but he should get a lot of playing time and a chance to develop.

[OrangeandBlack74]

He should get an opportunity for immediate playing time, along with MR. I think they have 9 players on the team now (which includes an invited walk-on).

[mportsch]

This is a bit of a surprise to me - I expected Jones to choose Minnesota. I am guessing the allure of immediate playing time is what ultimately won him over. He's got a great chance to be a starter from day one at IU. At Minnesota, he'd be behind Westbrook, Nolen, and probably Hoffarber for at least the next two years.

Minnesota should actually be the more successful program over the course of VJ's career, but Indiana might be respectable again once he is a junior or senior. He and Jordan Crawford might make a very tough backcourt in a year or two. Nice get for Crean.

[tornado]

Is Verdell Jones already qualified?

By the way, note the one comments that Verdell's father says when asked what they'd do if Indiana got hit with severe sanctions by the CAA--
""They don't seem to think, with all the things they've done for their
program internally, that the NCAA is really going to hit them that hard," Jones
Jr. said. "If it comes and it's really too hard, then maybe we have to
look at what we need to do next."

So it sounds like they will be signing one of those "qualified" letters of intent.
Maybe they will be sure a clause is included that allows them out of the agreement if sanctions are handed down.

[bu fan 9]

He is way over rated.

[real fan]

I agree with you BU9 as I saw him play in the state tour. and did not think he was a standout type of player, he handles the ball well but is not a great shooter.

[scout4126]

He's a great player. He isn't the most exciting to watch but he is capable of going for a good 40 points or 15 assists on any given night. I've seen him a countless amount of times over the last three years and he's one of my favorite players. He did have a very bad state tournament which led Bruce Pearl (who i sat two rows behind at the state tourny games) to offer other point guards and accept the commitment from DWest. However, it has been said time and time again, STRENGTH will be his determining factor.

[real fan]

V.Jones may be a good player but from what I saw he is not as good as a lot of people think as he struggled in the state tour. against better competition and I do not consider him to be a great shooter from the outside, he might be a good point guard in the future but he needs to work on his shot.

[Scouter]

His body frame and smoothness on the court reminds me of Andrew Warren.
I think he'll turn out to be a fine college player.

[scout4126]

You can't judge him off one or two performances. He played better competition than anyone in the state the last two years going head to head with Jerryd Bayless (lottery pick), Scott Suggs (Washington), Nick Williams (Indiana), Lewis Jackson (Purdue), and many more...every game he got the best of them, especially Jackson. There were many more top rated teams outside of Illinois that he competed against and got the best of. He didn't have offers from Minnesota, Indiana, Arizona, Kentucky, Tennessee, etc. for no reason. The kids a player. A smooth playmaking point guard that passes and shoots it well. Very long with good potential. Added strength will be his key.