Meet Robert “RJ” Jones, a 2023 guard who plays for John Paul II High School (TX). With a physically mature build and a budding skillset, Jones simply gets a lot of positive things done on the basketball court. He’s fresh off of a deep Peach Jam run with Drive Nation (TX), where he played a key role in his team’s second-place finish in the 16U bracket.
Recently, the rising junior spent some time chatting with Pro Insight’s Jake Lieberman about his recruitment.
For the next installment of “Recruiting Roundup,” we present class of 2023 prospect Robert “RJ” Jones, from Pensacola, Florida:
Pro Insight: What's the current breakdown of your visits, offers, and interest?
RJ Jones: USC has offered. Working on scheduling a visit. TCU has offered, and I’ve done an unofficial visit with them. Texas Tech offered, working on a visit. St. Louis offered, working on doing a visit. Tulsa’s offered, also working on doing a visit. Texas A&M’s offered, and I have an unofficial visit with them scheduled. Paul Quinn College, University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, University of Texas-Arlington, and Old Dominion have also all offered. Schools showing interest are Texas, Florida State, Mississippi State, SMU, Oral Roberts, Clemson, Tennessee, Washington State, Utah State, Arizona State, Boise State, New Mexico State, Iowa State, Minnesota, Houston, Oklahoma State, Missouri, and San Diego.
PI: Which programs have you heard from the most lately?
RJ: The schools that have been in contact the most are: USC, Texas A&M, Missouri, Utah State, TCU, Old Dominion, Arizona State, Clemson, Tulsa, and Boise State.
PI: What kind of role do you see yourself filling at the next level?
RJ: At the next level I see myself as a scoring combo guard that can play on or off ball and do everything on the court for myself and my teammates.
PI: What has been the most unique recruiting pitch you’ve heard thus far?
RJ: I have been told that I can come to a school and shoot as many times as I like, basically come in with a green light.
PI: What's the funniest thing that's happened in a virtual visit on Zoom?
RJ: I haven’t experienced any virtual visits at this point but am interested in how they will play out.
PI: Did you have any dream schools growing up?
RJ: Yes, I had about five dream schools growing up until I started to get a better understanding on how recruiting works. My dream schools growing up were Kentucky, Florida State, Texas, Duke, and USC.
PI: If you could team up with any high school player in the country when you guys get to college, who would you pick?
RJ: This is an interesting question: I would love to team up with Baye Fall or Amani Hansberry in college.
PI: What are your three main priorities when narrowing down and eventually making a final decision with your recruitment?
RJ: Honestly, first I will consider my playing time possibilities as a freshman and being able to play early, often, any through my mistakes. Secondly, the style of play of the team and how it fits the way I like to play. Lastly, the potential of great team chemistry being there once I visit the school.
PI: How's your timeline looking?
RJ: Since I’m approaching my junior year, I figure I have at least one more summer or early in my senior year of high school before I have to commit.
PI: If you could sum up your recruitment process up to this point in three or four words, what would they be?
RJ: Exciting. More work to do.
