September 18, 2007
Mr. Jones' first date
Since Luke Babbitt surprised Ohio State in June and backed out of his commitment to sign with the Buckeyes, coach Thad Matta and his staff have been scouting the class of 2008 for another power forward with the ability to play inside and outside. They don?t want to get caught short-handed if Kosta Koufos decides in the spring that he?s done after one year in college.
The coaches came out of the summer evaluation period targeting three prospects. One committed to Florida. Another seems more interested in other schools. But the third, 6-foot-8 Kevin Jones of Mount Vernon, N.Y., said today he will visit Ohio State this weekend. He said it is the first of five official visits he plans to take before signing with a school in November.
?I don?t know if there?s anything to read into? the fact he?s visiting Ohio State first, Jones said. ?Every school is on the same plateau.? He said he also plans to visit West Virginia on Oct.20 and Indiana at a date to be determined. He has not decided where else he will visit but also is considering closer-to-home schools like Seton Hall, Rutgers and St. John?s.
Jones said Ohio State began recruiting him ?late,? in July, but has made him a high priority since. Matta visited him in New York last week.
?I love coach Matta,? Jones said. ?He makes everything fun, has a lot of jokes. I feel at ease with him. A lot of coaches, I don?t feel at ease with. He makes it easy for you to like him.?
Canal Winchester senior B.J. Mullens also worked on Jones when the two played in an all-star game in New York in August. Mullens, a 7-foot center and one of the top 10 prospects in the class of 2008, committed to Ohio State when he was a freshman.
?He said I?d be a great addition. He said I?d make them the No.1 (recruiting) class,? Jones said. ?They have a pretty good class coming in already.?