Focused, Philly’s Jones Visiting Bison This Weekend

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Jones has earned scholarship offers.

September 30, 2009 – Out of Philadelphia’s Neuman-Gorietti High School, there is a 6’1”, 155 pound combo guard, one that has a 3.7 GPA, is a senior, and possesses six scholarship offers currently. This player, described as “focused”, is traveling down I-95 and officially visiting Howard this weekend.

“Howard, Lehigh, Hartford, New Hampshire, Toledo and Rider” are the schools Mustasaa Jones has received scholarship offers from, shared the West Philadelphia resident this evening. Howard is his first official visit, though that Washington, DC based school, along with “Lehigh, Columbia and Penn” have all been unofficially visited previously. Assistant coach Matt Collier is spearheading Jones’ recruitment for the Bison.

Mustassa Jones will once again hit the Nation's Capital, this time officially visiting Howard this weekend.

Jones on his unofficial visit to Howard this fall: “It was good. I really liked it. That’s why I’m going back for an official visit”.

Regarding a decision, Mustasaa indicated “I wanted to do it before the season. If not during or right after it”.

When asked to describe his game, Jones first said “I’m a shooter” while later noting “I attack the basket. Mainly, I like to stop and pop”.

In terms of a school, Mustasaa is looking for “A place I’m comfortable, where I can see myself there for four years”. His family, including dad, Ron Jones, is allowing Mustasaa to make this decision on his own; such is the job they’ve done with and trust they have for the younger Jones.

“He’s responsible” said Ron of his son. “The first thing is he’s a hard worker…He takes it seriously. And it’s paid off”.

That effort includes practicing with Gorietti – where he’s now a two year starter - drilling by himself – Ron indicated Mustasaa has gravitated to the sport since he was one year old – and atending “the Sixer’s camp up to eight grade and Eastern Invitational since seventh or eighth grade”.

Mustasaa also cited his play with Three on Three Enterprises (AAU), and John Hardnett, a trainer that “works out a lot of NBA players” in the Philadelphia area.

And then there is Aaron Abbott, a coach at Gorietti and long time teacher of the game in Philly, having worked with the likes of Syracuse’s Scoop Jardine, Rick Jackson, Dion Waiters (a future Orange player) and a host of others.

“I’ve worked with Aaron since I was in the 6th grade” said Mustasaa of Abbott the coach and talent developer, who later shared some interesting observations of Jones. “I’m going to tell you like this. He was in the 6th grade and he would work out with 8th, 9th, and 10th graders” said Abbott via telephone. “He was so small but you can tell a kid is a little more mature than others his age.

“I wouldn’t differentiate between him and the older guys. What I mean by that is if they worked three hours, he worked three hours, sometimes just to see how he would respond…He never quit, he never showed defeat. Sure he would get frustrated because he couldn’t do some of the things the older kids could do, but he never quit”.

Abbott went on to share an anecdote regarding Jones, one that established the guard as “focused”, revealing “He goes to practice, and then does his homework. He has a game plan; he doesn’t go away from that. After school and practice he doesn’t play video games, he doesn’t worry about going outside. He does his homework”.

Check back with i95Ballerz.com for more on Mustassa Jones’ recruitment. Colleges are now focused on him.