Jones Will Jet to Niagara

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Skylar Jones, because of reshaping his game, is heaeded to Niagara

September 27, 2009 - Previously known as an athletic, undersized power forward, Skylar Jones has developed his game, the payoff being a scholarship to Niagara University. He's a young guy that has proven hard work pays off.

"It occurred this morning around 9:50am" shared Jones yesterday of his decision, made at the tail end of an official visit to Niagara, in Upstate New York. "I flew down (home) around 11".

Why did he chose the Purple Eagles over Robert Morris and Mt. St. Mary's (both offered) and possibly Tulane and
Quinnipiac, who were interested?

"It was just comfortable, and I was just comfortable with everybody...I really didn't want to leave" replied the Mt. Vernon High School standout, standing 6'5" and weighing around 198 pounds.

Skylar Jones (right), competing with Team Takeover. Jones made an all-tourney team during Hoop Magic's We Takin Over event.

He went on to laud "the coaches and players as well", while noting "with work, there will be playing time".

Niagara's DMV connections, including the assistant coach in charge of his recruiting, Akbhar Waheed - who went to
Gonzaga - and Austin Cooley - a MoCo guy - also were attractive (the school has long been a home for DMV student
athletes).

Jones on Cooley's influence: "I was actually talking to one of their players who is from Bethesda, Austin Cooley, and he said there was a really smooth transition from Maryland to New York. That made me think about it".

Without the guidance of Morello Vest, one of Jones' Team Takeover (AAU) coaches, Skylar questions whether he will be in this position.

"When I started playing AAU, that's when my coach, Marello Vest, wanted to me to play to get ready for college" he said. Resultantly Jones concentrated on swingman skills "more so than my post up game".

This includes working on ball handling and shooting being a focus in not only games, but open gym and skill
development work. Accordingly, Skylar is now a slasher that still punishes rims, but can also sink the open jumper,
shooting the shot with lift; increasingly Jones is "starting to shoot the ball deeper".

"We are happy for him" said Vest, via telephone. "We've been on him hard since he's been with us. Doug Martin (the team's other coach) helped alot too".

That perimeter development will not only continue at Niagara - Jones cited the schools penchant for utilizing "four guards around a big man" - but also with the Mt. Vernon Majors, where he expects to be a captain and utilized "all over the place".

In the process, Jones anticipates the team winning "our district again, if we put in the hard work; We lost a lot of
talent. Then we should proceed on (to playoff action)". If those goals are met, Skylar will most likely meet/exceed his
2008-2009 stats, reluctantly relayed as 19.2 points and around 10 rebounds a game".

Vest, an AAU coach based in Virginia expects Jones "to have a great year". The coach, long known for his VA connections, on Skylar and Commonwealth kids: "Being as I live in Alexandria - I live right around the corner from Mt. Vernon - I have a special place for the kids in Northern Virginia".

That care and concern can be extended to all of the young guys Vest and Martin coach, as he shared "We made a committment to the kids, and only said 'Just stick with us'". The results are six or seven, previously overlooked players, likely being tendered Division I scholarship offers.

Hats off to Skylar Jones, who has proved hard work and good guidance can pay off. Niagara's foes in the MAAC will
probably rue the fact Jones had both in his life, thereby nurturing and developing his talent.