SEATTLE — Lorenzo Romar was only allowed to talk about one Terrence on Monday afternoon.
The University of Washington men’s basketball coach held his first press conference since Portland stars Terrence Ross and Terrence Jones publicly announced their joint commitment to the Huskies 72 hours earlier. But when Romar talked about his excitement in being able to add Terrence to the roster, there was no confusion. That’s because Jones still had yet to sign his letter of intent, meaning the Huskies can’t comment on his recruitment.
While the addition of Ross was certainly reason for celebration at UW, it’s the Jones situation that has Husky Nation’s attention these days. The 6-foot-9 McDonald’s All-American announced Friday that he chose UW over schools like Kentucky, Kansas, UCLA, Oregon and Oklahoma, and yet rumors have since been circulating that Jones is re-considering because he still hadn’t signed his letter of intent as of Monday evening.
When Romar was asked Monday about his emotions over the previous 72 hours, he paused for a moment to choose his words carefully.
“Fired up that we got Terrence Ross,” he said. “Just ecstatic. Emotionally, with Terrence Ross, really excited.”
The only times Romar made any kind of reference to another possible recruit came early in the press conference, when he admitted that “we could have one scholarship left,” and at the end, when Romar wrapped up his press conference by thanking the reporters and adding: “Maybe we can have another (press conference).”
The Jones situation is intriguing not only because he could be the most highly-rated out-of-state recruit of the Romar era but also due to the way things have played out since Friday.
In a press conference at Portland’s Jefferson High School last Friday afternoon, Jones followed Ross and three other ex-teammates in announcing his college decision live via webcast. Jones was the last of the players to sit in front of the microphone, and he was surrounded by hats of six colleges.
When he picked up a black Washington hat, the celebration began — both in the Jefferson High gym and at UW. But reports that Jones might be re-considering Kentucky have the Huskies right back where they were Friday morning: waiting with fingers crossed.
Jones has not spoken publicly since making the announcement, and it’s still unclear whether he plans to sign the letter of intent with the Huskies or re-open his possibilities before the May 19 deadline.
UW has already lost one recruit to Kentucky this year, having seen Turkish big man Enes Kanter back out of his verbal commitment to the Huskies in favor of John Calipari’s Wildcats.
All Romar was allowed to acknowledge Monday was that Ross will indeed be headed to UW after officially signing his letter of intent three days earlier. The coach did admit that the 6-5 guard has some summer school work to complete to become academically eligible, but that appears to be the only thing that could keep Ross from becoming a Husky.
Romar called Ross “a more athletic Tre Simmons,” referring to the former UW wing man who was one of the Huskies’ most deadly 3-point shooters in recent memory. The coach said Ross is a strong defensive player who adds athleticism and accuracy as an outside shooter.
“One thing that was pretty clear for us is to become a better 3-point shooting team, a better outside shooting team,” Romar said. “And Terrence Ross definitely makes us that.”
Ross is one of three players who have officially signed with UW for the upcoming season, joining freshman swingman Desmond Simmons and 7-foot junior-college transfer Aziz N’diaye.
Of course, there may be one more piece to the puzzle. It’s one that Romar is undoubtedly watching, although he still can’t mention Jones in public settings.
So for now, the Huskies will have to settle for the official three-man recruiting class and hope it soon expands to four.
“When I look at our class, I really like how it’s come together,” Romar said Monday. “My assistants have done a really good job of identifying the players that do what we like to do. We’re enjoying the fruits of their labor.”
Notes
Romar said that senior-to-be Justin Holiday and junior-to-be Isaiah Thomas have been named team captains for the 2010-11 season. … Ross is the first Oregon recruit the Huskies have landed since Class of 2006 member Phil Nelson, who later transferred to Portland State. Romar mentioned the improved caliber of players coming from that area in recent years, using former UCLA star Kevin Love and Final Four Most Outstanding Player Kyle Singler of Duke as examples.
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