LAKEVILLE NORTH WENT UP AGAINST MINNETONKA BLUE IN A FALL LEAGUE BASKETBALL GAME

Minnetonka Blue went up against Lakeville North in a Minnetonka boys basketball fall league game.

Lakeville North did a good job of moving the ball down floor and was able to get everyone involved in the plays.

Minnetonka Blue had trouble shooting the all throughout the first half. They couldn’t hit shots that they put up.

After a slow Start Minnetonka Blue stepped up and knocked down mid-range jump shots.

At halftime the score was Lakeville North 27, Minnetonka Blue 13.

As the second half gotten underway Minnetonka Blue continued to struggle to shoot the ball. They were not able to get their shots to drop.

Even though Minnetonka Blue had trouble shooting the ball they kept on putting up shots. They didn’t back down from Lakeville North.

Lakeville North was too much for Minnetonka Blue. Lakeville North came away with the 64-52 victory over Minnetonka Blue.

LAKEVILLE NORTH AND HOPKINS DUKE IT OUT IN A BASKETBALL GAME

Lakeville North and Hopkins squared off in a basketball game. Hopkins played mostly man-to-man on the defensive end.

Hopkins did a good job of moving the ball down the floor and making baskets in transition.

The defensive pressure that Hopkins played made it difficult for Lakeville North to make shots that they put up.

Hopkins make layups off of steals throughout the first half.

The score went back and forth late in the first half.

At halftime the score was Hopkins 37, Lakeville North 36.

As the second half got underway the score continued to go back and forth. Neither team game up easy baskets.

Lakeville North didn’t back down from the Hopkins pressure. They kept on attacking the basket late in the contest.

Hopkins came away with the 84-75 victory over Lakeville North.

2015 MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE/US FIRST STATE ROBOTICS TOURNAMENT

On April 15, robots took over Williams Arena on the campus of the University of Minnesota for the third annual Minnesota State High School League US FIRST State Robotics tournament. According to a press release that was sent out by the MSHSL about this year’s event, Recycle Rush is the name of the game, the same game that robotics teams throughout the country and world played this year. Designed and managed by FIRST®, — For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology — the game involves two competing alliances of three teams attempting to stack totes on scoring platforms, capping those stacks with recycling containers, and properly disposing of pool noodles using their remote-controlled robots they designed and built.

Each alliance competes on their respective 26 ft. by 27 ft. side of the playing field. The matches begin with a 15-second autonomous period in which the robots operate independently of drivers. During this period, robots attempt to earn points by moving themselves, their yellow totes, and their recycling containers into an area between the scoring platforms called the Auto Zone.

During the remaining two minutes and 15 seconds of the match, called the Teleop period, robots are controlled remotely by student drivers located behind the walls at the ends of the field. Teams on an Alliance work together to place as many totes on their white scoring platforms as possible. Alliances earn additional points for recycling containers placed on the second totes, with containers at greater heights earning more points.

Alliances also earn points for disposing of their litter in their Landfill Zone near the center of the field, or placing litter in or on recycling containers. Alliances that leave litter unprocessed on their side of the field at the end of the match, not in scoring position, will add points to the score of the other Alliance.

Here is an alphabetic list of the 30 qualified teams, preceded by each team’s FIRST®-designated number: 3313 Alexandria Area; 2667 Apple Valley; 3059 Austin; 5253 Bigfork; 2181 Blaine; 4859 Byron; 2472 Centennial, Circle Pines; 4778 Chanhassen; 4009 Duluth Denfeld; 2512 Duluth East; 3130 East Ridge, Woodbury; 1816 Edina; 5434 Faribault; 3293 Fergus Falls; 4539 Frazee-Vergas; 5172 Greenbush-Middle River; 5232 Hermantown; 2052 Irondale, New Brighton; 5638 Lac qui Parle Valley, Madison; 2526 Maple Grove; 3276 New London-Spicer; 5626 Norwood-Young America; 4624 Owatonna; 2530 Rochester; 3299 Southwest Christian, Chaska; 4536 St. Paul Central; 3007 Tartan, Oakdale; 4215 Trinity School at River Ridge, Eagan; 4198 Waconia; and 2883 Warroad.

Each Alliance consists of three different robots and there were six different robots on the playing surface at one time. There were 40 qualifying rounds.

In the Sports Pavilion which was nicked named “The Pit” each team was able to set up a table and have a booth and an area where they were able to work on their robots before their matches and afterwards.

Also in “The Pit” there were videos playing on the screen highlighting different events from earlier in the year.

Once again overall I thought that the State Robotic tournament went well. I thought the students did a great job at building their robots and competing. I also thought that there was a lot of positive energy shown by the students. Students were up out of their chairs dancing while music was playing over the loud speakers.

Robotics is really a team competition. Another interesting aspect of the event was each team had their own flag. The flag usually had the team name and number on it. At the beginning of the season each school that competes is assigned a number. That number is used throughout the season.

After the preliminary rounds the top four teams each picked three other teams to align themselves with. Then there was six rounds of the semifinals.

It was ran the same way as in the preliminaries where there were a total of six robots on the field at once all trying to attempting to stack totes on scoring platforms, capping those stacks with recycling containers, and properly disposing of pool noodles using their remote-controlled robots they designed
and built.

After about eight and a half hours of competition it was time to announce the winners.

In third place were the teams of 2181 out of Big Lake, 4778, Chanhassen, 3276 New London-Spicer.

In second place were 2883 Warroad, 2052 Irondale, 2526 Maple Grove.

Championship team captain 2512 Duluth East, 3130 East Ridge.

The overall team winner was 4215 Trinity School at River Ridge.

GREG BOONE HAS BEEN NAMED THE NEW VARSITY BOYS’ BASKETBALL COACH AT MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL

Greg Boone is the new head boys’ varsity basketball coach at Minneapolis Southwest High School. 

Boone replaces Tom Weko who stepped down after the 2014-2015 season.

Boone was an assistant coach at Richfield High School before being named the head coach at Minneapolis Southwest High School.

ATLANTA SILVERBACKS WENT UP AGAINST MINNESOTA UNITED FC

Atlanta and Minnesota United squared off in a soccer game on May 9 at the National Sports Center in Blaine. 

Minnesota moved the ball down the field well to start the game. They were able to keep it out of the Atlanta zone.

Minnesota had their chances early in the game as they were able to get shots on goal.

In the 43rd minute Minnesota’s Pablo Campos scored a goal with the assist going to Miguel Ibarra.

That made the score Minnesota 1 and Atlanta 0. That was the score at halftime.

As the second half got underway Minnesota once again looked to control the tempo of the game.

Once again Minnesota had their chances to score in the second half. The defensive pressure that

Atlanta applied made it difficult for Minnesota to get open shots on net.

Atlanta had their chances to score throughout the contest but they were unable to do that.

Minnesota came away with the 1-0 victory over Atlanta.

The attendance of the game was 9,058.

After the game Campos and Ibarra talked about the game. Also head coach Manny Lagos talked about his thoughts of the game.

MINNESOTA HEAT AAU BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

Over the weekend of May 2-3 2015 at the Colin Powell Center in Minneapolis the Minnesota Heat hosted an AAU tournament. Teams from across the upper Midwest came together for an AAU basketball tournament.

All teams played in a bracket play during the Saturday session. Teams plated in their own age division.

There were a lot of different Division II and III college coaches in attendance looking at different players.

With a lot of different tournament’s going on coaches can get a chance to see different kids play in a lot of different situations.

Overall I thought that this was a good local tournament. It gave me a chance to catch up with different high school and college coaches.

SAN ANTONIO SCORPIONS WENT UP AGAINST MINNESOTA UNITED IN A SOCCER GAME

San Antonio and Minnesota United squared off in a soccer game on April 25 at the National Sports Center in Blaine.

Both teams looked to move the ball down the field quickly and get everyone involved in the action.

Minnesota did a good job of getting the ball down the field. The ball was kept in the middle of the field.

Minnesota hard their chances to score throughout the first half. The game was very physical as both teams got tangled up going after the ball.

In the eighth minute San Antonio’s Zourab Tsiskaridke scored a goal.

With that goal that made the score San Antonio 1, Minnesota 0.

Minnesota continued to move the ball down the field well as they had their chances to score throughout the first half.

Minnesota’s Miguel Ibarra assisted in a goal by with the assist going to Pablo Campos in the 34th minute.

With that goal that made the score tied at 1.

At halftime the score was tied at 1.

As the second half got underway both teams continued to attack the net. The intensity was high by both teams throughout the second half. Neither team gave up easy shots on goal.

Minnesota’s Christian Ramirez scored on a penalty kick in the 59th minute.

With that goal that made the score Minnesota 2, San Antonio 1.

The ball kept moving back and forth on the field throughout the second half. Both goalies stepped up and knocked down some big shots on goal throughout the second half.

In the 90th minute San Antonio’s Rafael Castillo scored on a penalty kick.

That tied the game at 2.

There was 4 minute bonus time.

The game ended in a 2-2 tie.

The official attendance of the game was 9,233.

SUNDAY’S MINNESOTA COMETS SPRING SHOOTOUT ACTION

Sunday, Apr. 19 was the final day of the Minnesota Comets Shootout.

CENTRAL WISCONSIN HEAT VS MINNESOTA COMETS LEWIS

Central Wisconsin Heat went up against Comets Lewis in the 17u division. The score went back and forth early in the contest.

Lewis did a good job of moving the ball down the floor and getting everyone involved in the offense.

Heat used both man-to-man and zone defenses throughout the first half. They were able to confuse Lewis on offense.

Lewis guard Jordon Bolton did a good job of getting to the basket and coming up with mid-range jump shots and layups on offense.

At halftime the score was Comets Lewis 31, Heat 28.

As the second half for underway the score continued to go back and forth. Comets Lewis went to a zone defense that made the Heat have to swing the ball around the 3-point line. They took a lot of time off the clock while doing this.

There were several ties and lead changes throughout the second half. Neither team went on a huge run.

The Heat strung some baskets together midway through the second half. They got hot from behind

the 3-point line.

Heat did a good job of spreading the ball out and getting the ball down to the low post. Heat was able to take Lewis out of the game offensively late in the second half.

Lewis attacked the basket late and was able to come up with layups.

Lewis came away with the 68-65 victory over Heat.

HEAT NORTHWEST WENT UP AGAINST MINNESOTA FURY WILDE  

Minnesota Heat Northwest went up against Minnesota Fury Wilde. Fury did a good job of moving the ball down the floor and scoring baskets in transition.

Fury got the ball into the hands of Steffon Mitchell. Mitchell was able to drive to the basket and make layups and mid-range jump shots. On the defensive end he was able to slow down the guys that he was guarding.

The Fury defense made it difficult for Heat to make uncontested shots.

Fury came up with deep 3-point baskets. They swung the ball around the 3-point line as they got everyone involved in the offense.

There were several ties and lead changes in the first half. Neither team went on a huge runs.

Neither team gave up uncontested shots. There were several loose balls in the first half as well it was very physical.

Fury came up with steals and were able to convert the steals into baskets on the offensive end.

The score continued to go back and forth late in the first half.

At halftime the score was Fury 35, Heat 30.

As the second half got underway Heat started out in a zone defense. Fury came up with deep 3-point baskets, they were also able to attack the zone defense and get to the basket and attempt layups against the zone defense.

Mitchell got hot in the second half. He continued to attack the basket and make layups. Teammate Steffan Musoke also did good job stepping up and hitting mid-range jump shots.

The Heat offense sputtered throughout the second half. They were not able to hit shots that they put up.

Fury took a lot of deep 3-point shots and were able to make them. Fury was too quick for Heat.

FURY WILDE WENT UP AGAINST SELECT ALTENHOFEN

In the 17U division Wilde and Select squared off in a basketball game. Wilde moved the ball down the court well and was able to get the ball into the hands of Steffon Mitchell. Mitchell did a good job of getting to the basket and came up with mid-range jump shots and layups.

The score went back and forth throughout the first half. Neither team went on a huge run.

Select did a good job of passing the ball around the 3-point line as was able to get everyone involved in the offense. Select was also able to come up and drop those 3-point baskets.

Select used multiple different defense and that created problems for the Wilde. They were not able to figure out what defense they were in.

Select’s Eddie Maruggi came up with layups and mid-range jump shots that kept his team in the game.

Fury’s Dalante Peyton made layups on the offensive end. On the defensive end Peyton did a good job of slowing his guy down. Teammate Will Morton did a good job of driving to the basket and coming up with layups.

Both teams looked for fast breaks and both were able to come up with fast break layups.

At halftime the score was Wilde 38, Select 32.

As the second half got underway both teams continued to move the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition.

The score continued to go back and forth throughout the second half.

Mitchell kept his team in the game as he came up with mid-range jump shots and layups consistently throughout the second half.

Fury went to a zone defense. Select used a lot of time off the clock by passing the ball around the 3-point line.

The score kept on going back and forth late in the contest. Both teams played well throughout the game.

Wilde came away with the 64-58 victory over Select.

MINNESOTA MAGIC VATSASS WENT UP AGAINST FURRY ZURN IN THE 16U CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

In the 16U championship game Fury Zurn went up against Magic Vatsass. Vatsass moved the ball down the floor quickly as they looked to score baskets in transition.

Fury looked to set the tempo early by distributing the ball amongst themselves while getting the ball down the floor.

Magic played both man-to-man and zone defense throughout the first half. Magic’s Brian Sitzmann came up with mid-range jump shots and layups throughout the first half.

Fury guard Brian Smith was all over the floor. On the offensive end Smith did a good job of distributing the ball to his teammates. If Smith thought that he had a good look at a basket he would shoot it instead. On the defensive end Smith did a good job of slowing down the guy that he was guarding.

Both teams took the ball hard to the basket and game up with fast break layups off of steals.

The score went back and forth throughout the first half. Neither team went on a huge run.

Magic passed the ball around the 3-point line late in the first half. They were able to keep Zurn from getting the ball.

At halftime the score was Magic 33, Fury 26.

As the second half got underway Magic continued to push the ball down the floor and get everyone involved in the offense.

Fury stared in a zone defense that made the Magic pass the ball around the 3-point line.

The score went back and forth as there were multiple ties and lead changes in the second half.

Fury’s Owen Chose did a good job of getting his teammates the ball in spots where they could shoot it. If Chose thought that he had a good shot he wasn’t afraid to shoot it himself. The defense had a hard time slowing Chose down. They couldn’t defend him behind the 3-point line.

Magic came up with steals on the defensive end and was able to turn them into point on offense.

Magic’s Mykal Howard came up with some huge mid-range jump shots and layups. He wasn’t afraid to drive to the basket and look for open shots.

Magic played zone defense late in the first half. They did a good job of rotating in the zone and making it difficult for Fury to get open looks at the basket.

Both teams launched deep 3-point baskets late in the game. They were able to make them.

There were multiple ties and lead changes within the last 3 minutes of play.

Fury came away with the 57-53 victory over Magic.

FURY WILDE WENT UP AGAINST COMETS ELITE LEWIS IN THE 17U CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

In the 17 U championship Fury Wilde went up against Comets Elite game it took both teams awhile to get into an offensive shooting rhythm.

Fury got out to a quick 11-2 lead with 11:48 left in the first half.

Comets Jordan Bolton came up with huge shots as he made mid-range jump shots and layups. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Fury was able to come up with steals and convert on the offensive end. Fury was also able to make layups in transition.

Comets did a good job of moving the ball down the floor and coming up with mid-range jump shots. Everyone touched the ball on the offense.

Steffon Mitchell was all over the floor on both ends of the court. On the offensive end he came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. On defense he was able to slow down the guy he was guarding.

Neither team went on a huge run in the first half. The game was very physical throughout. The officials let both teams play.  

At halftime the score was Fury 36, Comets 33.

As the second half got underway the score went back and forth. Fury stuck in their zone defense.

Comets did a good job of attacking the zone and were able to get to the basket.

Comets Bryce Irsfeld came up with deep 3-point baskets that kept his team in the game.

Fury’s Steffan Musoke did a good job of getting to the basket and coming up with layups or mid-range jump shots.

The pace of the game picked up as both teams raced up and down the court making baskets.

Comets came up with some big baskets late in the second half. They were able to come up with some stops on the defensive end of the ball.

Fury went to a trapping man-to-man defense with under 2 minutes to go in regulation.

Fury’s Sean Ryan drained a jumper at the buzzer to tie the game at 75. There was a 2 minute overtime.

In the overtime period Fury swung the ball around the 3-point line as they looked for their shot while taking time off the clock.

The Comets came away with the 79-78 victory over Fury.

SATURDAY’S MN COMETS SPRING SHOOTOUT ACTION

The Minnesota Comets hosted an AAU Tournament in St. Cloud Minnesota the weekend of April 18-19 2015. There were several games throughout the day. In pool play on the first day of competition there were several games going on at once.

On Saturday April 18 was the first session it was all the 16U division.

This was one of the first of many big AAU tournaments that were going on round the country. The Comets are an AAU team based out of St. Cloud Minnesota.

16U Mn Fury Zurn vs. Crossfire.

Minnesota Fury Zurn and Crossfire squatted off against each other in the 16 U division. Both teams started out in zone defense.

Crossfire pushed the ball down the floor and looked to make layups in transition.

Crossfire’s Zach Johansen came up with mid-range jump shots and layups in the first half. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball where he could make shots.

Fury’s Myles Hanson made jump shots and layups on the offensive end. The defense had a difficult time slowing him down.

Fury’s Dedoch Chan came up with layups on the low block. He did a good job of calling for the ball in the paint.

The score went back and forth throughout the first half. Neither team went on a run.

Fury passed the ball around the 3-point line as they were able to get everyone involved in the offense.

Crossfire switched a lot of screens on the defensive end talked to each other.

Crossfire’s Jack VanderTop came up with layups on the block. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball on the block he posted up and came up with rebounds.

At halftime the score was Fury Zurn 35, Crossfire 13.

Fury was able get everyone the ball and were able to knock down deep 3-point baskets.

Fury was a lot quicker than Crossfire was. Crossfire had a difficult time scoring from the paint.

Fury’s Brian Smith was quick on his feet. He was able to beat the defense and make layups. On the defensive end he was able to come up with steals and layups on the offensive end. If Smith didn’t think that he had a good shot he wasn’t afraid to pass it to one of his teammates.

Crossfire couldn’t keep up with Fury on the offensive production. Fury was took quick.

Fury Zurn came away with the 60-28 victory Crossfire.

16U REAL ROBINSON VS COMETS ELITE-Stumpf

In a 16U division game Real Robinson went up against Comets Elete-Stumpf. Stumpf did a good job of moving the ball down the floor and getting everyone involved in the offense.

Real Robinson’s Jamire Jackson did a good job of getting to the basket and looking to make layups.


Stumpf used multiple defenses throughout the first game. Strumpf came up with fast break layups and were a little quicker than Robinson.

Stumpf pushed the ball down the floor and was able to score layups in transition.

Real Robinson’s Ahzerik Rodgers came up with steals on the defensive end and was able to turn them into fast break layups on offense.

Comets Elete-Stumpf kept pushing the ball down the floor and came up with layups and mid-range jump shots.


At halftime the score was Stumpf 42, Real Robinson 25.

As the second half got underway Stumpf continued to come up with layups and jump shots.

Real Robinson took their time on the offensive end. They passed the ball around the 3-point line and looked to get the ball inside.

Rodgers took the ball hard to the basket and came up with layups. If he was fouled he was able to make his layups.

Both teams played hard throughout the game.

Stumpf came away with the 74-58 victory over Real Robinson.

MINNESOTA LOCKDOWN VS FURY ZURN

In another 16U action Minnesota Lockdown and Fury Zurn with up against each other in 16U division.

Both teams dove on the floor after loose balls. The game was physical from the start of the game.

Neither team took an uncontested shot.

Zurn’s Brian Smith came up with deep 3-point baskets if he thought that he could take.

Lockdown played both man-to-man and zone defense throughout the first half. Zurn played mostly zone defense.

Lockdown’s Kingston Myles and Marcus Hill drove to the basket and came up with mid-range jump shots and layups.

At halftime the score was Fury 28, Lockdown 27.

As the second half got underway both teams continued to push the ball down the floor and looked to get baskets in transition.

Both teams traded baskets throughout the second half as neither team went on a run.

Fury stayed in a zone defense throughout the second half. They didn’t let Lockdown take open shots.

Lockdown wasn’t able to come up with shots late in the game.

In a hard fought good played game by both teams Fury came away with the 67-62 victory over Lockdown.

REAL JAY VS MINNESOTA SELECT ELLIS

In 17u action Real Athletics Jay went up against Minnesota Select Ellis. It took each team to feel the other team out.

Jay did a good job of getting down the floor and were able to come up with layups. Jay guard Cedric Boone took the ball hard to the basket and was able to come up with mid-range jump shots and layups. On the defensive end Boone slowed the guy down while on defense.

Both teams exchanged baskets throughout the first half. Neither team went on a huge run.

Jay took a lot of time off the clock throughout the first half. They were not afraid to take deep 3-point baskets.

Both teams didn’t let the other team take uncontested shots.

At halftime the score was Jay 37, Ellis 36.

As the second half got underway both teams continued to push the ball down the floor and looked to score baskets in transition.

Jay used their quickness as they were able to get past the Ellis defenders.

Both teams played hard throughout the second half.

Jay came away with the 83-78 victory over Ellis.

COMETS ELITE-LEWIS WENT UP AGAINST TWIN PORTS

Elite-Lewis and Twin Ports went up against each other in a basketball game. Lewis did a good job of pushing the ball down the floor and scoring baskets in transition.

Lewis started out in man-to-man defense as well as Twin Ports. Neither team wanted to give up easy baskets to the other.

Elite-Lewis guard Jordon Bolton took the ball hard to the basket and came up with layups. Bolton was also able to step up knock down mid-range jump shots.

Twin Ports had a difficult time scoring baskets against the Elite-Lewis pressure.

Twin Ports went into a shooting slump late in the first half. They were not able to hit shots that they put up.  

Elite-Lewis got hot from behind the 3-point line late in the first half. They shared the ball well and all stepped up and knocked down deep shots.


At halftime the score was Comets-Lewis 48, Twin Ports 24.

As the second half got underway Comets-Lewis continued to push the ball down the floor and was able to come up with baskets in transition.

Twin Ports had a tough time scoring throughout the game. Comets-Lewis was quicker than Twin Ports.

Comets-Lewis came away with the 80-43 victory over Twin Ports.

MN RISE PURPLE WENT UP AGAINST FURY WILDE

MN Rise Purple (Rise) and Fury (Wilde) squared off in a 17U basketball game. Wilde looked to get the ball into the hands of Steffon Mitchell. Mitchell took the ball hard to the basket and was able to make layups.

Rise started off the game in a zone defense. That made Wilde have to swing the ball around the 3-point line. That also took a lot of time off the clock.

Wilde passed the ball around the 3-point line as they were able to take a lot of time off the clock and set up their offense.

Rise was able to come up with steals and layups on the offensive end.

At halftime the score was Wilde 40 Rise 18.

As the second half got underway Wilde continued to push the ball down the floor and make layups in transition.

Rise couldn’t get their offense going in the second half. Even though they put up shots they couldn’t make them fall. Wilde was quicker than Rise throughout the game.

Wilde came away with the 72-72 overwhelming victory over Rise.

MN FURY JORDAN WENT UP AGAINST COMETS ELITE SERVATY

MN Fury Jordan and Comets Elite Servarty squared off in a basketball game in the 17U division.

The score went back and forth throughout the first half. There were several ties and lead changes throughout.

Jordon Bolton took the ball to the basket for Servarty. He was able to come up with mid-range jump shots and layups consistently.

Servaty did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense. They swung the ball around the 3-point line and all 5 players touched the ball. They weren’t afraid to shoot the three-point shot as well.

At halftime the score was Servaty 35, Fury Jordan 28.

As the second half got underway Servaty continued to pound the ball down the floor and get the ball spread out to everyone’s hands.

Fury Jordan had a difficult time scoring for a period of time in the second half.

Bolton came up with steals on the defensive end and turned them into fast break layups.

Fury Jordon got hot late in the game but it was a little too late. Servaty came away with the 72-62 victory over MN Fury Jordan.

APPLE VALLEY’S AND DUKE FRESHMAN TYUS JONES TO ENTER THE NBA DRAFT

Apple Valley and Duke Freshman Tyus Jones has declared that he will enter the 2015 NBA Draft. According to a press release by Matt Plizga, “Duke Freshman Tyus Jones will enter the 2015 NBA Draft, head Coach Mike Krzyzewski announced on Wednesday April 15, 2015.

“Tyus could not have done a better job for us this past year,” said Krzyzewski. “We’re so very happy for him and his family to have the opportunity to declare for the draft. He is projected to be a first-round pick. He’s going to get a lot better, but people have already seen him and know how he handles himself, especially in pressure situations and in the biggest games. He comes through like a champion! I loved coaching him, and I believe he’ll be an outstanding professional. At this time, I think is so appropriate for him to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Jones, the 2015 Final Four Most Outstanding Player, joins Corey Maggette (1999), Luol Deng (2004), Kyrie Irving (2011), Austin Rivers (2012), Jabari Parker (2014) and teammates Jahlil Okafor (2015) and Justise Winslow (2015) as Blue Devil freshmen to enter the NBA Draft after just one season of college basketball.

Jones, an All-ACC third team honoree, averaged 11.8 points, 5.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game during his freshman season. For his efforts, Jones received a number of awards, including being named to the All-ACC Freshman Team and the USBWA All-District III Team. He was also tabbed the ACC Rookie of the Week four times throughout the season and the Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Week once.

Jones made an immediate impact for the Blue Devils upon arriving in Durham, ranking among the all-time best Duke freshman in a number of categories. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.86:1 marked a Duke Rookie record, while his 217 total assists ranked third. Jones also became just the second freshman in Duke history to score 400 points and register 200 assists in his rookie season, concluding his career with 461 points and 217 assists.  Jones shot 88.9 percent from the free throw line, which sits third on Duke’s freshman list, as well, while his 144 made free throws ranks second. Among his conference counterparts, Jones ranked second in free throw percentage and assists (5.56 apg.) and fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio.

“Coming to Duke was a dream of mine and being a part of such a special team was amazing,” said Jones. “I knew coming in I would be a part of a great team, but I never envisioned I would be a part of such an incredible family. That is what has made winning a national championship such an amazing experience. I am faced with the tough decision of returning to a place I love or pursuing my next dream. With the support and guidance of my family, my coaches, my teammates, and Duke University, I have decided to start my professional career. Even though I am entering the NBA Draft, I will forever be a Duke Blue Devil.”

Jones concluded his tremendous freshman season by earning NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors. The Apple Valley, Minn., native helped guide the Blue Devils to their fifth national championship title by averaging 13.0 ppg., 4.5 apg., 1.7 spg. and 3.2 rpg. over six games played in the NCAA Tournament. Jones proved a reliable scorer from the free throw line, converting 22-of-24 (.917) attempts from the charity stripe. Jones connected on all seven free throw attempts and scored a game-high 23 points in the national championship game against Wisconsin. Jones also hit two key three pointers in the waning minutes of the national title game, giving Duke the lead and then putting the game out of reach against the Badgers.

Duke has produced a first round selection in the NBA Draft in each of the past four years.

Krzyzewski has mentored 28 first round picks, including 18 lottery selections. The 2015 NBA Draft will take place Thursday, June 25 in New York City.”

I have watched Jones play on in high school, AAU and in college. I personally think that he is a very good player. I wish him the best in the NBA.