Texas hoops secures commitment of 4* PF/C Kai Jones

[Aaron Carrara]

The Texas men’s basketball team received some good news on Monday evening when Kai Jones, a 4-star center from Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, verbally pledged to the Longhorns. He held offers from more than 25 schools, including Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio State, Georgetown, Texas, Baylor and Florida State.  On September 23rd after visiting Austin, the 6-10, 205 lb. senior from Brewster Academy listed Baylor, Florida State and Texas in his final three.

 

[TB14]

I saw him play 2.5 years ago at a tourney and someone told me he would have his pick of any team in the country and play in the nba. I laughed because he looked so goofy and uncoordinated. Never thought Texas State would offer much less Texas.  Then watched him a year ago and thought no way this is the same guy. If he keeps improving like he has the past couple years he will keep up the big man tradition of being one and done and 1st round pick. Still has a long ways to go but excited for him. Welcome to the 40! Hook em!

 

[Sirhornsalot]

We needed a big guy. Glad we got one. But we do need a center.

 

[longhorn_mig]

We're throwing a party on Shaka Island after this commitment.

 

[Rotty22]

i'm all for getting the best talent on the 40.  but when was the last time a 1-and-done got us deep into the tournament or even a big 12 championship?

 

[TB14]

i'm all for getting the best talent on the 40.  but when was the last time a 1-and-done got us deep into the tournament or even a big 12 championship?

I doubt he is a one and done. He has a chance like I said in my post but I think he will be here more than a year. 

But we haven’t had any player get us far in the tourney in a while. Regardless of one and done or four and done. Lol

 

[Bitterwhiteguy]

i'm all for getting the best talent on the 40.  but when was the last time a 1-and-done got us deep into the tournament or even a big 12 championship?

I'm going to say Lamarcus; he was at Texas for two years but only because of a major hip injury. He was a one & done prior to the injury, and his sophomore year they went to the Elite Eight.

With the 1&D types, it's as much about the surrounding cast as it is about them. That EE team had junior PJ Tucker, Daniel Gibson, and a senior Kenton Paulino around LMA to really get things going. The year after had KD but everyone around him was incredibly young (frosh DJ, frosh Damion James, etc.). You flip KD to a year earlier or later and on those Elite Eight squads are probably making the final weekend. I think with a school like Texas who rarely has more than one 1&D at a time, the timing and fit of that player plays a much larger role than a place like Kentucky where they have 3+ on nearly every team. Bamba on this year's squad would likely be deadlier than last year, as an example.