TCC Star Picks ‘Cats Over Bulls, Tigers   by Rob Chaney When Antwan Jones came to Tallahassee, Fla., last fall, he was just another basketball player. There was no fanfare, no reporters, no cameras, no calls from zealous coaches. In fact, outside of his hometown of Live Oak, Fla., the Suwannee High School graduate was virtually unknown.   What a difference a year makes. The 6-foot-8 Jones went from relative obscurity to one of the biggest names in college basketball last year while starring for coach Mike Gillespie’s Tallahassee Community College Eagles.

Antwan Jones

As a result, a year-long recruiting battle ensued. While numerous schools showed interest, only three schools were left in the end.

Finally, last Wednesday, Jones signed his NCAA letter of intent and announced he would attend the University of Cincinnati.

"I knew it was going to be a tough decision," Jones said at a press conference held at Tallahassee Community College. "I prayed about it, asked the Lord to give me strength to make the decision, and I finally decided I wanted to go to Cincinnati to continue my education and basketball career.

As Jones made the announcement and donned a black leather Bearcat cap, a smile appeared on his face. No doubt it was one of happiness, but also of relief. Those closest to him admitted the recruiting process had begun to wear on the sharp-shooting small forward.

"It's been very difficult on Antwan," Gillespie said. "It's taken its toll on him, his mom, Don (Antwan’s high school coach Don Atherton), and myself."

Cincinnati beat out Louisiana State University and the University of South Florida for Jones’ services, but it was not easy. In fact, Jones did not reach a final choice until late Tuesday night, following TCC’s affair in Gainesville, Fla., against Santa Fe Community College.

Patricia (his mom) and Don came down to Gainesville last night, Gillespie said. We talked one last time after the game and Antwan made his final decision.

Each school made its best pitch to land one of the nation's most coveted junior college players. While other schools may have offered more guarantees, the national appeal of the Bearcats and a shot at a national championship were too much to pass up.

That (a shot at a national championship) was real important, said Jones, because one of my main goals is to win a national championship.

He could be wearing a championship ring before arriving in the upper Midwest. The Eagles opened the season ranked number two nationally, trailing only three-time defending champion Indiana Hills (Iowa) Community College and are off to a 4-0 start.

The only way I’ll have a chance to do that is to go to a program that’s not rebuilding, that has a chance to compete for a championship right away. Cincinnati has a great basketball tradition, and they are a team that can give me that opportunity. Cincinnati has a history of relying on junior college talent. NBA veterans Nick Van Exel and Corie Blount, and current Bearcat Pete Mickeal, all hail from the JUCO ranks, and UC head coach Bob Huggins is happy to add Jones to a team already full of talent.

He’s a guy who’s potentially a difference-maker, said Huggins. He is an extremely mobile and talented big man who should be able to make an immediate impact.

As a freshman, Jones led TCC in scoring (19.6) and rebounding (7.7) on his way to being named first-team All-Panhandle Conference. A pre-season NJCAA All-American, Jones is off to a fast start in 1999. Through four games, he is averaging 25.8 points and 7.3 rebounds. 

The Antwan Jones File

Rob Chaney is the Assistant Sports Information Director at Tallahassee Community College. He graduated from Auburn University in 1996 with a B.A. in Mass Communications.