Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah) combo guard RJ Jones is one of the top guards in the class of 2023 and starred for the JL3 Elite in the Nike EYBL this summer.
It’s official now. I committed to Kansas State, and all I can say is: Wow, what a way to end my recruiting process, and what a way to get a weight off my shoulders before I go to Wasatch Academy for my senior year.
I honestly just loved everything about Kansas State.
I only had an official visit there, and just seeing the practice made me happy, because it was easy to see that they let their guard down and do things in the system.
Coach (Jerome) Tang and Coach (Ulric) Mal and the rest of the staff are a very genuine group of men who are all about their players. They are family, and they are just great basketball minds who know the game and help to develop players. I know I will grow there in many ways.
Coach Tang has been recruiting me since he was at Baylor, and he’s a guy that everyone loves. He’s really genuine, and he’s easy to connect with, and it’s the same with Coach Mal and the rest of the staff.
Coach Tang loves a guard who can score the ball and can do a lot of different things on the court, so that really suits me.
I know this is his first year, but with all his experience at the highest level, I’m sure he’ll win from Day One.
I have all the confidence in the world in him, and that’s the main reason I committed there.
When I was on the visit, I knew I was going to commit there. I feel really strong.
RJ Jones had a strong heat in the Nike EYBL run with the JL3 Elite.
So one night after we had a meeting with all the staff, I stood up and told them I was coming. They just started yelling and banging their chests and running up and down the hall.
This is a special moment for me just to know how much they want me.
It just goes to show that I picked the right place.
It’s been hard to hold this news, but I’m glad I did, and I’m glad that I can wear all my Kansas State gear now.
They plan to use me as a combo guard, and they want me to be aggressive scoring the ball. I plan to do that and whatever they need me to do to win. That’s my mentality.
But I’ll also say this: If I come in there and they ask me to be a lockdown defender, then that’s what I’m going to be.
The number 1 goal for me and my family there is to win, because our goal is to win the national championship.
We all call and accept our role, because that’s the best way to do it.
I can not tell you how big a relief to be able to talk about this decision. I had to do this before I started my senior year, because I didn’t want that stress.
I found my match, and that’s it for me.
I can’t wait to get down there and meet all the K-State fans and work. I’ve got another year, but I just know that Coach Tang is gonna win it to finish the year, and I’m preparing now to give everything I’ve got from Day One.
