4-star forward Ryan Jones watches Florida practice as commitment decision nears
With his commitment announcement nearing, Gainesville (Fla.) The Rock School 4-star power-forward Ryan Jones attended the Florida Gators’ first day of practice Monday — and liked what he saw.
“I went on some unofficial visits there last year and I see a difference in their energy from the year before with what they’re bringing in this year,” Jones told Gators Online.
Jones, the No. 9 power-forward and No. 66 overall recruit nationally for the On3 Industry, has a commitment date of Oct. 2. The 6-foot-8, 225-pound senior announced his top eight last month — Florida, Louisville, LSU, Miami, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech and Xavier.
“The main factors are the coaching staff, or someone there, has a great relationship with God,” Jones said. “A team whose chemistry is there — no conflicts. And then, the last one is the education. What I want to do after or during basketball. I found that in those eight (finalists) I chose. Now, it’s just finding peace in one of the schools. I feel like with all of the top eight I can get to the highest level, the NBA, if I earn it and work hard. I’m just trying to find the school that best fits me.”
Jones officially visited the Gators two weekends ago.
“It was good,” he said. “I enjoyed it. I saw some things I haven’t seen before and I’ve been up there quite a few times. I saw the sports medicine part of it. I saw more of the strength and conditioning stuff. And then, hanging out with the team. I never really did that (before).”
Ryan Jones has a good relationship with the UF coaching staff
Gators assistant Carlin Hartman is Jones’ lead Florida recruiter. Jones and Hartman’s son are teammates.
“Good coach,” Jones said.
He’s also high on Florida head coach Todd Golden.
“I spent quite a good amount of time with him,” Jones said. “Seeing how he is with his staff, how he is with his players. It was cool to see. He’s young ,very energetic — a real good dude.”
Jones attended the Florida-Tennessee football game at The Swamp during his official visit.
“The fanbase is always going to be good at Florida,” he said. “It’s always wild.”
Jones isn’t tipping his hand when it comes to his final decision. But the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine favors the Gators by a wide margin, with Virginia Tech next. He officially visited the Hokies four weeks ago.
“They all have similar plans,” Jones said of his finalists. “I’m looking for a school that runs their offense through their forwards and allows their forwards to be free with their decision making and shot selections.”
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