Andrew Force:
Future150 National Analyst. Covering High and Middle School basketball.
Nashville, TN (Future150) -- Despite the frequent suggestions of package deals or basketball legacies such aspirations rarely work out. For Jordan Bone, the younger brother of a former Volunteer, the Tennessee Volunteer legacy absolutely did work out.
"It was definitely a long time coming," said Bone. "I can just think back now a few years back I was a nobody. I didn't really blow up until junior year, so my junior AAU season. Looking back at it, it kind of makes me emotional. All of that hard work I put in. It has finally paid off.
Just being Josh Bone's younger brother did not assure Bone of playing for Tennessee. But Jordan did believe he would eventually sign with some D1 program.
"I pushed myself and worked hard," said Bone. "I have always surrounded myself with people who had the same goals as me, wanted to go D1, so I think that helped a lot, as well."
Coaching Change
Jordan Bone was not certain to sign with Tennessee. In fact, the previous staff under Donnie Tyndall did not offer.
"Rick Barnes. They were the coaching staff to offer me," said Bone. "That was a big part of my decision. You just can't go wrong with him. He has a resume. He has made it to so many NCAA-appearances. He has had so many people in the league. To know that he is interested in me is kind of mind-blowing."
Tradition
Josh Bone began his career with Southern Illinois under Bruce Weber. Then he played for Bruce Pearl at Tennessee. He started three games as a senior in Knoxville.
"I had a lot of mid-major schools, a few high major D1's, but Jordan had all high-major D1 schools looking at him," said Josh Bone. "It was a long process. I know he was excited when he saw UT was interested. From there he has done everything right. He has taken every phone call. He has just made a great decision. It shows what type of person he is. I am happy for him. I can't say it enough."
The family showed up to support Jordan in his signing. They took photos with him and answered questions from the media on hand.
"He is a mature person and the way our parents raised us is to stay humble at all times,' said Josh Bone. "Everything can be taken away in the blink of an eye. It is a testament to him. With him seeing me go through the process and with him being in the gym since he was two years old, trying to play basketball and dribble the ball...he was prepared for it."
So often younger brothers try to emulate their idols, their older brothers. And in the process they surpass them. Could Jordan's preparation been that exceptional that he could thrive at Tennessee?
"It is in his blood to be a ball-player and react the way he has seen react on the floor," said Josh Bone. "I am not a boastful player and he is not either. He has seen me go through it and now he is here and he has handled it perfect."
Did he have to go to Tennessee? Was this a legacy that hounded him more than helped encourage him?
"Oh no," said older brother Josh. "I don't think he had to do anything. The decision was all Jordan's. Of course, me going to UT and being a Vol...that is what I wanted him to do, but I wanted the best situation for Jordan."
There was no explicit pressure. Maybe Jordan felt something internally, but no family members outwardly pressured him.
"And as a family we all love UT orange," said brother Josh. "We love the school, the environment, and the athletic program. It was all up to Jordan. Because he had a lot of great schools looking at him he took every last one of them seriously. But when it came down to it we looked at the big picture and how close the school was to our house. When your big brother goes there it is just extra icing on the cake. It was a good decision for Jordan. He made a good decision I feel like."
Bone knew he would always be a D1 player.
"I just worked too hard," said Bone.
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