Q&A with freshman guard Lance Jones
11/22/2019 | 9:58:00 | Men's Basketball
Freshman guard Lance Jones signed with SIU in November 2018 and stuck with his commitment through the coaching transition in March. He talks about his game, his family, the coaching staff and more in this Q&A.
Tell us about yourself...
I have one older brother. He's been there for me ever since I was little. I always wanted to be like him. Same goes for my parents. They're always there for me, and I can always count on them.
What were your expectations for Division I basketball?
I thought it would be faster paced, and that's exactly what it has been. You have to catch onto things quicker. It took me a while to adjust, but I feel like I'm getting there.
One of the team mottos is, Protect the Team. Tell us what that means to you.
Do things when no one else is watching. Don't walk around too flashy, but walk around with a positive attitude. You want to be a good teammate and be respectful as a person.
How do you describe your game?
I'm a pass-first point guard. I want to see teammates be successful first. I want to be the player that does whatever it takes to win.
Do you have someone who has inspired you in your basketball career?
I don't think it's inspiration, but it's motivation. My grandmother is a woman I love with all my heart. It's always been that way. She had triple-bypass heart surgery when I was in middle school. Seeing her fight through that made an impact on me. If she can fight through that, I can fight through anything.Â
Why SIU? How did you feel about the atmosphere of the program during your visit?Â
SIU stayed loyal throughout the entire recruiting process. When things didn't go well for me, they were always there. The support was always there.
You committed before Coach Mullins was hired. What was that transition like?
I was on spring break when Coach Mullins got the job. He called me right away and set up a meeting. When I got back, they came to my house for a visit. I felt really good about it because Coach Mullins was a point guard, too. Coach Brendan (Mullins) had recruited me when he was at Illinois State, so I knew him already. Everything felt comfortable.
What are your expectations for the season?
It's a blessing to play as a freshman at the Division I level. I'm hoping to win some games and do as much as we can. Overall, it's all about winning, and I'll do whatever it takes to help my teammates be successful.
Â
