Apply Valley recruit’s short list includes Tubby Smith’s Gophers

Tyus Jones, a five-star basketball recruit from Apply Valley, Minn., has narrowed his choice of schools down to eight teams.

The 6-foot point guard who is a top 3 overall recruit in the class of 2014, made an announcement via Twitter naming (in alphabetical order) the final teams on his short list.

Jones was seen with men’s coach Tubby Smith at the Gophers first exhibition game against Minnesota State – Mankato last week at Williams Arena.

Despite Minnesota’s place on Jones’s shortlist, it would still be a surprise if the best ball player in the state chooses to stay home, which goes to show how difficult it is to keep top recruits in the state.

Of the eight teams, Minnesota is the only team that did not make the NCAA Tournament appearance in 2011-12.