Tre Jones: I knew pretty early after the season I wanted to come back

More from sophomore point guard Tre Jones’ session with the media:

Many were surprised by Jones’ decision to return to Duke for a second year, even though fellow freshmen Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish all went one-and-done, as did his brother Tyus, three years earlier. It wasn’t a tough decision for Jones, however.

“I wouldn’t say I was that close to leaving at all,” he said. “I didn’t even test the waters or anything. I knew pretty early after the season I wanted to come back.”

On a team where freshmen will receive much of the playing time, Jones feels his experience can pay off.

“The things we went through last year as a team and me personally, all the ups and downs helped me a lot,” he said. “Coming back, I knew I would have some experience. With this team we have coming in this year and the freshmen that we have, I feel we have a really good team.”

Coach K said he thought Jones could see his assists increase this year and that double-digit assist games should be more common than last year.

Jones isn’t looking at his stats.

“The main improvement I want to do is just be able to do more for the team this year, in any way possible, offense or defense.”

Coach K also wants Jones to be more of a leader.

“I felt like that a little bit last year,” he said. “But it was a little bit different, having three top-10 picks.”

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