Note:  23 Questions is a new feature here at mevsMJ.com and its goal is to shed a little light and have some fun with some of the very best basketball players in the country.  When I came up with the concept, the very first person I thought of was Morgan Jones, someone I had met a few months ago.  Morgan was happy to help and with that 23 Questions is born!

I stood stationary but ready underneath the goal, next to a young woman, one of only two at the particular workout this past May.  The coach standing behind us at the free throw line instructed, “Backboard, baseline, backboard, backboard, get the ball!”

The 6’2″ young lady and I did as instructed and then sprinted out to the three point line towards a ball sitting comfortably in a chair.  The objective being the first one to the ball would be on offense and the other on defense and then it was 1-on-1.

I got to the chair just before my opposition and nonchalantly reached for the ball.  Just as my hands were on the basketball, my opponent ripped the ball away knocking the chair over, jab stepped to the middle and went baseline laying in the contested shot.

Hello Morgan Jones!

No one told me that I was matched up against the 9th ranked high school women’s basketball player in the country according to ESPN.  They didn’t tell me I was going against a McDonald’s All-American.  I didn’t know she won a State Title for Lake Mary high school (113-11 in her HS career) or that she was Central Florida’s Girl Player of the Year.  I also didn’t know that she had signed a hoops scholarship with Northwestern University.

All I knew after she scored was that she had game and plenty of it.

This may or may not be the first you’ve heard of Ms. Morgan Jones, but either way I have a feeling it will not be the last.  She won’t allow it!

Without further ado, here is the first installment of 23 Questions, featuring Morgan Jones!

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 23 Questions with Northwestern’s own MJ, Morgan Jones:

1.  What sparked your interest in basketball?  

Morgan Jones:  I grew up with it.  My older sister (Tailor Jones-Also at Northwestern) played and my parents had their own organization called D.E.B.O.

2.  What’s your jersey number and why do you wear it?

MJ:  #1 … I have had this number since I first started playing at the age of eight. Throughout the recruiting process I made sure the school had the #1. (superstitious)

3.  Favorite Food?

MJ:  I will eat just about anything but I LOVE pasta and a big fan of seafood!

4. Hidden Talent (Something you’re good at that most don’t know about)?  

MJ:  I can cook!

5.  Something you’re surprisingly really bad at?

MJ:  Singing… but sometimes I make myself believe that I can when the music’s blasting.

6.  Favorite Musician/Group?

MJ:  RICK ROSS

7.  Proudest moment as a basketball player thus far?

MJ:  As a freshman I set a goal to work to be a top ten player in the country and by the end of my junior year I was 9^th!

8.  If you didn’t play basketball, what else would you enjoy doing?

MJ:  Modeling.

9.  What advice would you have for someone looking to achieve your level of success on the court?

MJ:  Have fun while working hard at it and God will take care of the rest.

10.  Who are your role model(s)?

MJ:  My Mom and Dad.

11.  What is your earliest basketball memory?

MJ:  Playing on co-ed teams at the YMCA.

12.  Twitter or Facebook?

MJ:  Twitter (@MsMorGan_JOnES)

13.  If you could meet any celebrity who would it be?  

MJ:  RICK ROSS haha!!

14.  What kind of basketball shoes do you wear?

MJ:  I don’t have a specific pair but being that I’m at Northwestern, Derrick Roses’ adiZero Adidas will be on my feet this season.

15.  Favorite pre-game meal?

MJ:  Pasta

16.  Do you have any pre-game superstitions?

MJ:  NAP

17.  Favorite Athlete?

MJ:  Don’t have one.

18.  What motivates you?

MJ:  When one doubts me.

19.  During an average week, how often do you play basketball and or do something related to basketball like conditioning?

MJ:  Like 5 days out of the week.  It varies with seasons.

20.  As you know, my dream is to play Michael Jordan 1-on-1, what is your dream?

MJ:  To be doing creative marketing for the NBA, Gatorade, Nike etc.

21.  How do you think you would fair today against MJ 1-on-1?  

MJ:  I’d dunk on him haha!!

22.  How do you think you would do against Jordan in his prime?

MJ:    ….

23.  Any advice for me for WHEN I play Jordan?

MJ:  Just don’t let him cross you or dunk on you.  That’ll be a fair game

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Thank You Morgan!

Special THANKS to the wonderful Morgan Jones for taking time to be a part of the journey here at mevsMJ.com!  Best of luck at Northwestern!  I’ll be rooting for you every step of the way!

Be sure to follow Morgan’s journey on Twitter @MsMorGan_JOnES!

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Road to 100 Free Throws In A Row UDPATE!

So after being stuck on 34 free throws in a row for some time, I finally broke through and made 40 in a row last week.  Honestly, I haven’t been putting in the work at the line like I need to be, but I’m still in pursuit of the goal!  40 leaves me quite a distance from my goal of 100 consecutive, but it IS POSSIBLE!  Stay tuned!!!

The journey of me vs. Michael Jordan continues!!!!  Thank you for following along!

I pushed the door open and felt the cool air of night as I exited the gym.  Soaked with hard work from head to toe, I made my way to my car and thought about what Coach Kevin Sutton had said to me just days before when we met for the first time.

Raising his right hand he gestured by making about a one-inch space between his thumb and pointer finger last Wednesday and said, “It’s about getting a little better each time.  That’s what we’re looking for.”

It was after 10pm on Tuesday evening and I had just finished my first workout with Coach Sutton.  Over two hours of two ball dribbling drills, shooting between and blasting around chairs as if they were defenders, working on Kevin Durant and Paul Pierce moves, one-on-one drills, and at the end of it all, there is no doubt that Coach Sutton and the other coaches made me at the very least a “little better.”

In a group of 17 elite players that featured James Bell (Villanova), Eric Griffin (Campbell), Adam Jones (Fairfield), Pierre Bakinde (undecided) and Morgan Jones (Northwestern/#9 Ranked Girl in USA by ESPN) to name a few, I was definitely lost at times, but I did what I do and gave my all.

On top of all of the basketball, stapled to the heart of the workout was a genuine sense of comradery amongst players and coaches that I haven’t seen in quite some time.  On the makes I heard, “Great finish, nice shot, way to shoot it!” and on the misses, “You’ll get it next time, come on you got this.”  At one point players and coaches were actually cheering me on as I pushed through the fatigue I was feeling!  Amongst the high fives, encouragement and high level of competition was a true feeling of desire from each and every player that we all get better and improve.

Near the end of the workout as I was doing some shooting work with 6’8″ Eric Griffin (he’s really good!), I heard someone right next to me say, “Hold on a second, look how you’re lined up.”  I looked over and it was none other than former Orlando Magic player, Anthony Bowie! There to support his kids, he had made his way all the way across the court, to stop me and show me the proper way to set up to receive the pass.  He then encouraged me and later even gave me some tips for my 1-on-1 battles!  (Watch out MJ! ;-))  So, very cool!

As workout #1 came to a close (yes, there will be more!) Coach Sutton gathered the players and told them about how we met, mevsMJ.com, and about my journey to play Michael Jordan, before closing it out with a prayer.

Life is Amazing, If You Allow It To Be!

OK, I know I’ve been saying it over and over again lately, but LIFE IS AMAZING, IF YOU ALLOW IT TO BE! (My 2011 Slogan)

A week ago Coach Sutton walked underneath the basket at which I was shooting free throws in a gym that was completely empty.  Less than a week later, I was being instructed and inspired by one of the top basketball coaches in the country!

He allowed a soon to be 34 year old with a rather large dream to come in and work with his group and treated me like I belonged.

The kindness and willingness of people like Kevin Sutton to HELP ME continues to blow me away and I am forever thankful.

I’m Sore and Can’t Wait For More! (Pictures and Video Coming Soon!)

I woke up Wednesday morning sore and hungry.  Hungry to get back on the court.  Hungry to improve just a little more each time.

I plan on going back next week for more training and will do my best to get pictures and video of some of the things I’m doing with Coach Sutton.

I’m having a blast here at mevsMJ.com and I thank each and every one of you for following along and for your support!

me vs. MJ…the journey continues!  I hope you’re getting ready Mr. Jordan!

SPECIAL THANKS!

I want to give a special thanks to Coach Sutton, Coach Alton Clark and Sean Russell of FAAZ Magazine, as well as all of the players for making me feel welcome and pushing me to get better!  So very much appreciated!  See ya next week!!!!