Duke basketball champ set to face brother in Texas

This time, Tyus Jones versus Tre Jones should yield competitive stat lines.

Matt Giles | Nov 9, 2022

Former Duke basketball guards Tyus Jones and Tre Jones (Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports)

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Duke Blue Devils

After a day with no NBA action, Wednesday's slate features 13 games. One of those games includes a battle between a couple of former Duke basketball point guards: brothers Tyus Jones and Tre Jones for the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs, respectively.

The Grizzlies (7-4) and Spurs (5-6) play in San Antonio at 8 p.m. ET.

It'll be the franchises' first meeting this season. But it won't be the first time the Jones brothers have faced each other in the league.

Last season, the Grizzlies and Spurs played four times, all wins by the Grizzlies.

Tre Jones saw minutes in all four for the Spurs, totaling 25 points and eight assists. Tyus Jones, who won a national championship as the Blue Devils' one-and-done starting point guard in 2014-15, was active in only three of those meetings but shined each time, tallying 56 points and 11 assists altogether.

In 2020-21, Tre Jones' rookie year following his two sensational Duke basketball campaigns, the Spurs went 1-2 against the Grizzlies. Tyus Jones drew significant minutes all three times. But Tre Jones had yet to carve out a regular role; he played in only one of those games, receiving three minutes of mop-up duty.

There's a legitimate chance that Tre Jones finishes with a fuller box score than his 26-year-old brother this go-round. As a full-time starter this season, the 22-year-old is averaging a line of career-high stats: 12.7 points, 6.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 29.9 minutes per game.

Meanwhile, Tyus Jones is averaging 10.8 points, 4.0 assists, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.6 steals in 22.8 minutes per game as the Grizzlies' primary backup point guard behind superstar Ja Morant.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily Duke basketball content.

Published Nov 9, 2022

MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.