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Five Things You Didn't Know About Tyus Jones

You probably already know everything about Tyus Jones already being he’s from Minnesota. Maybe you’ll learn nothing from this piece. Maybe you’ll learn everything. I don’t know. Here are five things that you might not know, but probably do know, about first-round pick Tyus Jones.

1.) Family Business

His family is full of basketball talent. His older brother, Jadee, played ball at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Jones played two years at Furman, averaging 5.5 points per game before transferring to Mankato. Jones averaged 13 and 8.8 points per game, respectively, during his two years at Mankato.

(I actually covered him when he played on the team during the 2009 season – my freshman year.)

Tyus has a younger brother who is very talented as well. Tre Jones, set to graduate in 2018, is a star for Apple Valley, much like Tyus was. He’s already received offers from the University of Minnesota and Texas Tech. He averaged 12.3 points per game in the state tournament last season, leading Apple Valley to the championship. He was in ninth grade.

This type of talent in a family isn’t fair. But knowing Tyus’s work ethic, it’s definitely deserved.

If you ever see the “Jones Family” signed up for a family basketball tournament, leave immediately. Or get your camcorder (do people still have camcorders?) ready.

2.) Let Me Tell You About My Best Friend

He’s been friends with Jahlil Okafor, his former Duke teammate, since he was eight years old. Okafor was drafted third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. Okafor and Jones decided to make their college experience a packaged deal, and college coaches were aware of that.

Okafor told reporters in New York that he and Jones had gotten in one fight before, when Duke was on the road before the season started. It sounded like Jones was trying to get Okafor and another teammate in a friendly argument. Classic Tyus, always antagonizing Jahlil. 

3.) We're Talkin' 'Bout Practice

This is a story that’s been chronicled before, but it’s still pretty freaking cool. From 2011-2013, Jones took part in about 12 practices with the Minnesota Lynx. This is probably an arrangement that helped both sides. And now he’ll be sharing a home court with the two-time champions. Things have a weird way of working out, don’t they?

4.) He Was How Old?

What were you doing in eighth grade? I was wearing jerseys to school every day, pretending that my voice wasn’t a mix between Pee-Wee Herman and Batman while wondering why no girls had any interest in me.

What was Tyus Jones doing? Oh, you know, just starting at point guard for Apple Valley, averaging 16.3 points and 3.8 assists per game. No big deal…

5.) Controversy…

Hot takers, get ready for this...

Tyus Jones thinks LeBron James is better than Michael Jordan.

For those not familiar with the young-kid lingo, GOAT stands for “Greatest Of All-Time”.

For all of you LeBron James adversaries out there, just remember that Jones has grown up watching LBJ’s entire career. Jordan is to Jones what Magic Johnson is to me. He's great, but I never was able to watch him play live. No matter how much film you watch, it's just not the same. 

Fun fact: When Kobe Bryant, another player eligible for GOAT in my opinion, won the MVP in 2007-08, Jones was just 11 years old. If this makes you feel old, mission accomplished.