Jeremiah Jones breaks Washburn basketball's record for most steals in a season
· Yahoo Sports
TOPEKA — During Jeremiah Jones’ recruitment process, Washburn head coach Brett Ballard spoke openly to the 6-foot-3 guard.
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“If you come here and learn our system. You will be successful,” Ballard told Jones. “You will be leading the nation in steals.”
Once he heard those words from Ballard, Jones was bought in and ready to lead No. 3 Washburn (27-1, 17-1 in the MIAA). The junior guard transferred after two fantastic seasons with the University of Mary. Last year, he finished third in the nation in steals per game.
Jones also set the Marauders program record for total steals in a season.
“Last year, the defensive style was much different,” Jones said. “We didn’t play as hard and we didn’t trap. I had to do a lot of extra work there to get some steals.”
This year, Jones hasn’t missed a beat.
While he holds Mary’s record for steals, he is now in the history books for Washburn, too.
Jones has the most steals for one single season in Washburn history. He has collected 84 total steals, which surpasses Will McNeill’s record of 82 steals set in the 2012-13 season.
Jones earned the record in Washburn’s 88-49 win against Pittsburg State on Wednesday, Feb. 25. He finished the game with eight points and three steals.
The Ichabods pride themselves on a trapping style defense. When ball screens arrive, Washburn loves to get into its opponent’s faces, forcing turnover after turnover.
Jones leads the nation with 84 steals this year, too. The mark also ranks second-best when Division I teams are included. He only trails Bowling Green’s Javontae Campbell in this category.
“When we watched him on film, it just popped how athletic he is,” Ballard said. “His anticipation ability is uncanny, elite. In our system, with how we trap, he is having more opportunities to go create deflections and steals.”
Setting the Washburn single-season steals record is impressive for Jones. But the thing that Ballard values the most about his starting guard is much more than the stat itself.
“He’s become a guy that can keep you in front,” Ballard said. “Some guys can gamble and get the steal, but if he doesn’t get it, then you are playing 4-on-5. When he gambles, for the most part, he gets it. He can also keep the other team’s best player in front.”
Washburn will conclude its regular season by hosting Missouri Southern at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Washburn University athletics for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: How Jeremiah Jones became Washburn basketball's all-time steals leader