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Ambitious Antwann Jones geared up to assault Memphis basketball offseason

Basketball

Ambitious Antwann Jones geared up to assault Memphis basketball offseason

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Antwan Jones held up his left arm to reveal the eight-letter word tattooed throughout his forearm. “Ambition,” it read in cursive lettering. After the Memphis basketball group misplaced its 2nd-round NIT sport to Creighton on Friday, that tattoo could remind himof why he made it to Memphis in the first place and what he wishes to do as he enters the offseason earlier than his sophomore 12 months. “It doesn’t sense actual proper now,” Jones stated while seated at his locker after the game. “But with me being ambitious – I have it tatted on me – I know it’s all approximately going harder now.

Like nearly any freshman, Jones’ first season with the Tigers was filled with peaks and valleys. Jones started the year in a limited function but showcased what he can do with a strong overall performance towards Tennessee that kick-commenced a ten-game stretch throughout which he played at least 18 minutes per contest.   From there, the freshman protects minutes took a dip while he battled plantar fasciitis, a heel injury. But he returned to his vintage self in overdue February via the stop of the season. He averaged 7.7 points and 2.3 assists in games where he performed more than 20 minutes. “My future is high-quality bright,” Jones said. “Because I’m now not going to do whatever, however, get better.

The Memphis training workforce agreed. Jones led the Tigers in numerous instances this season with his courtroom imagination and prescient scoring potential. At 6-foot-6, the project also appears as though he can turn out to be one of the crew’s quality perimeter defenders as well. In reality, Memphis instructed Penny Hardaway, who said in February that Jones became an essential part of the Tigers’ fulfillment for the rest of the season. “Look, the NIT changed into something,” Jones said. “We have been satisfied to be in it.

However, we all need to go to the NCAA Tournament.” So now it is “wait till subsequent yr” for Hardaway’s bunch, which means there is nothing Jones can do but rely upon that ambition as he waits. “I’ll be in the gym daily,” Jones stated Friday. “I’ll be in there tomorrow. I will hit the waiting room, get treatment, put up 1,000 pictures, and then work on ball-dealing. Then, after that, I’m going to copy it.” With Memphis nonetheless hot on the recruiting path – something Hardaway pointed out right away after the NIT loss – questions have arisen about whether or not the Tigers have scholarships available for potential signees on the roster next season.

Five players from this season’s team will graduate, and four recruits have already signed for next year. Also, Hardaway stated that formerly, redshirt freshman Ryan Boyce could be put on scholarship before the beginning of his sophomore season. That means a few gamers doubtlessly may want to transfer to make space, but Jones made it clear Friday that his eyes are still set on Memphis. “I haven’t any plans of leaving,” Jones said. “I love the city of Memphis. I love my basketball crew. I love the education personnel. I love my teammates. I wouldn’t alternatively be everywhere else in the international, however, here.

Erika Norman

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