InsideMDSports: Terps basketball watching star Va. sophomore guard Curtis Jones

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When sophomore guard Curtis "Cujo" Jones transferred from Richmond's Highland Springs High School to Washington Catholic Athletic Conference powerhouse Paul VI, he also put himself directly in front of Maryland's coaching staff, which already frequently visited the school to see Marcus Derrickson and Franklin Howard, among others.

The coaches remain constant visitors at Paul VI, even with Howard injured and Derrickson committed to Georgetown.

That's partially because Jones has established himself as a priority recruit in the Class of 2016. The staff has already been able to get him on campus twice — the first time for Maryland Madness and then last week for the game against Oregon State — and the interest appears to be mutual.

"I really like the school," Jones told IMS. "The environment, it was a great environment. I can't talk to the coaches much but they seem really nice when I talked to them at my school."

The staff recognizes that Jones will be a highly sought-after recruit — already holding offers from North Carolina State, Virginia, Virginia Tech and more — and they aren't holding anything back. Mark Turgeon, Dustin Clark and Bino Ranson have all visited the school at different times.

Jones, an elite-level athlete who excels in transition, loved the tempo the Terps-Oregon State game was played at.

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"Yea, I love that style. That was a big thing," Jones said. "The style of play was fast, push the ball. It was really exciting to see."

Jones will end up playing the majority of his minutes at shooting guard this year at Paul VI — with point guard duties being manned by Kevin Dorsey and Evan Taylor — and he's still trying to get adjust to his new school.

"I'm still trying to find my role," Jones said. "They look to me as a scorer. Scoring, playing defense, helping my team win to get a WCAC championship."

"Right now, [my position] doesn't really matter. I guess I can play both [guard spots]. I play both right now. I can do whatever."

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InsideMDSports: Terps basketball watching star Va. sophomore guard Curtis Jones

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