Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Introducing Blue Raider Jason Jones
9/27/2010 8:07:00 AM | Men's Basketball
In this edition, GoBlueRaiders.com sat down with guard Jason Jones, who after redshirting last season will compete for a starting role.
Q: You had to sit out last year due to NCAA transfer rules. In what ways were you able to improve your game in practice sessions last season?
A: I worked on my shooting, and improving my shooting touch. I also worked hard on my defense.
Q: A native of Memphis, you were recruited by Middle Tennessee, but went to Texas-El Paso after high school. What made you decide that Middle Tennessee was the right place for you?
A: Coach Davis had recruited me heavily in high school (Ridgeway), and when I decided to transfer, I felt it was a closer place to home for me as well. Plus, I had played here in the state tournament.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Murfreesboro?
A: Compared to Memphis, Murfreesboro is a calm place. You can focus more on your academics and basketball.
Q: What are you most looking forward to this season?
A: We have a nice team coming in, and we are trying to bond as a team. The season will be here before you know it, and we are trying to work out and get in shape before it does.
Q: How hard was it to practice with the team and then have to sit on the bench during games?
A: It was hard because basketball is the thing I love to do. In practice, I would help the starters get ready for the next game, then it was really hard for me to sit and watch the games after I had helped the team prepare.
Q: Why do you enjoy playing basketball?
A: In high school, I played football and ran track, and I played a little baseball as well. But football was my main sport. I played quarterback, but I was kinda tall, so I thought I would try basketball as well, and also I didn't want to limit myself to one sport. I was a good athlete and already fast, so it just worked out for me to play basketball, too. I believe now that I made the right choice.
Q: What would you say to the fans as they anticipate your presence on the team this season?
A: Just give me a chance, that's all I ask. And they can look forward to some nice dunks this year.
Q: The team last year was very close, and you were part of that, even though you were sitting out. What will the team this year do to help and bond with the new players, to maintain that closeness?
A: We try to do a lot of activities off of the court to bring more of us together. We try to hang out together as much as possible, go out to eat, playing video games, coming to the gym to shoot, just try to bond as quickly and as much as we can.
Q: What is one thing that Middle Tennessee fans do not know about you that they would find interesting?
A: I like to be a comedian, to make everybody laugh. When you are down, I like to think I can get you up again.
