Trojan Man With A Plan and A Vision by Lauren Beasley
Maurice Jones is still a known high school basketball star in the State of Michigan, especially in Saginaw, Michigan. Jones graduated in 2010 from Saginaw Arthur Hill High School, where he averaged 30 points per game and earned honors like Associated Press Michigan Class A Player of the Year and he was even a finalist for the Michigan "Mr. Basketball Award." He earned a multitude of high quality college offers but at the end of the day, the Saginaw Native choose to head to the West Coast and play for USC.
Even though it was back in 2010 when Jones chose to attend USC and signed his letter of intent, I decided to ask him again why he chose USC over all the schools he received offers from.
“USC was just the best situation for me.” Jones said. “USC allowed me to get on the court immediately and gain experience. I loved and still love the great tradition of USC Basketball. My family and I love the fact that it is great academic school.”
Jones has just finished up his sophomore year at USC and will be entering his junior year this fall, but the question is what has USC done for him so far as person.
“USC has done so much for me so far and I believe they will continue too.” Jones said “USC has taught me how to adapt to different situations and become a man. When I first came out here I didn't have any friends or family out here. I had no one to hold my hand and guide but USC helped me to learn how to guide myself and make my own decision. In the classroom they are teaching me how to make it in the real world.”
Jones is definitely a great ball player and all-around athlete but he understands that it all starts in the classroom not the court.
“I am currently majoring in Sociology.” Jones replied. “As of now I am not sure what career I exactly want to enter, but I am getting a lot of suggestions from my professors about different career paths to take into consideration.”
Pac-12 has been known to be one of the top conferences in the NCAA especially in basketball. However over the years Pac-12 basketball has seemed to diminish, most people don’t seem to pay attention to the conference in particular anymore. Jones has noticed but says that it won’t last long.
“Yeah Pac-12 definitely has had its ups and downs these past couple of years.” Jones said. “However that’s all about to change in my opinion. The conference is beginning to get competitive again and I think people are going to see a different conference next season. The conference has expanded and is gaining more and more talented recruits.”
Speaking of recruits, UCLA has one of the top recruiting classes this year with the signing of Shabazz Muhammad, Tony Parker and more. Jones said it’s not unknown to him that one of their big arch rivals has loads of incoming talent but he says he is excited about it.
“Yeah I noticed that UCLA has a lot of great incoming recruits but I am excited about it for the main reason that I am competitor.” Jones replied. “I am always eager to play talented players and see what they bring to the table. It also brings more intensity and excitement to the rivalry which is going to make for great games in the future.
To some people, Jones is one of the key role models in college basketball for the main reason that he is a short guard who has exceeded the limitations that NCAA has placed upon small guards. Jones is only 5-foot-7 but continues to be one of the top guards in the conference and in the NCAA.
So I asked Jones what advice he would give to young guards who are considered to be short guards and are sometimes punished as far as recruiting because of their height.
“My main advice is basically do all you can and do your best every time.” Jones said. “You have to find out what makes you great and unique to the scouts. Be the best at your craft and always be open to improvement. Don’t let anyone limit you because of your size.”
Jones definitely is a unique person and student but he is also a unique player for many reasons, but one particular reason sticks out to Jones.
“The thing that makes me unique as a player is my ability to do things that can’t be taught.” Jones replied. “What I mean by that is basically I have certain instincts that can’t be taught; whether it’s the instinct to pass, to shoot, to make an attempt for steal. My instincts come from experience and my years of studying the game.
Jones is known as lightning-quick sophomore guard with tremendous court vision and a flare for providing highlight reel plays. He has a strong understanding of how to run an offense and can score by either defeating his defender or by drilling a long range jumper. Jones maybe unique but he knows there is always for improvement.
“I feel that I am a good all-around player and I feel my bio is pretty accurate but one thing I know I need to improve on is consistency.” Jones said. “This past season I was mostly up and down with my play, that’s unacceptable to me and that’s the main thing I am looking to improve.”
USC is one of the teams people are looking to watch this season, mainly because people want to see will the USC Trojans go back to the great team they once were. According to Jones the fans will not be disappointed this season.
"This USC team will be totally different this upcoming season.” Jones replied. “This team is more team goal orientated. We are looking to surprise a lot of people this year. I feel we will all play our roles, we all have star potential but we are all more focused on our roles as team then as an individual.”
There is no question that Jones is well round young man who happens to be a student athlete and he has a little advice for the young men of the world.
“My main advice to young men, especially those who are entering college is stay focus.” Jones said. “Most people have an idea of how they want college to go, but I can honestly say it won’t be all like you imagined. The key is to remember why you are in college and stay focus on your goals. You have to learn how to adapt to different situations, just like in life.”
Maurice Jones obviously has a good head on his shoulders; he knows where he is from and knows where he is going. He is doing great things at USC in the classroom and on the court. Right now Jones options are still open, he could go on to play professional basketball in the NBA or overseas, or he may be a business mogul in corporate America. No matter what Jones ends up doing in this world, I have a feeling he is going to do something amazing.