What’s in a name? For Mississippi State men’s basketball’s four ‘Juniors,’ quite a bit – The Dispatch

STARKVILLE — When he seems to be across the Mississippi State locker room, freshman guard Shawn Jones Jr. can’t assist however discover it.

For as soon as, on this facet, he’s not alone.

“That is the primary time I’ve had a couple of particular person be a ‘Junior’ on my crew,” Jones stated.

Not solely is the Houston native not the lone Bulldog whose identify contains the suffix; he’s considered one of 4.

Guards Eric Reed Jr. and Jamel Horton Jr., ahead Will McNair Jr. and Jones all bear the identify, placing Mississippi State in uncommon territory in Division I faculty basketball.

“It’s fairly distinctive that we have now that many “Juniors” on the identical crew,” Reed stated.

Simply how distinctive, precisely?

An evaluation of the rosters of all 363 Division I groups turned up 173 gamers with the “Junior” suffix, which means that on common, each different D-I college comprises one such participant.

Twenty-six Division I gamers carry the “II” suffix, and 41 extra have the “III” tag. There are even 14 fourth-generation gamers with “IV” of their identify — in addition to VCU’s Arnold Henderson VI, who joins three “Juniors” and Alphonso Billups III on a Rams roster that includes quite a lot of additional letters.

However Mississippi State and defending nationwide champion Kansas, which boasts six “Juniors” on its 18-player roster, are in their very own class.

Six groups — Boston Faculty, TCU, South Florida, Saint Louis, VCU and Norfolk State — have three “Juniors,” however nobody else can match Mississippi State’s whole of 4.

For the younger males who keep on that suffix, it means quite a lot of letters on a jersey.

“It means quite a bit to me,” Jones stated. “I’m simply dwelling the legacy my dad began, and I’m simply going to maintain dwelling it, maintain doing proper by him. I’ve received his identify, so I’ve received to stay by it proper.”

The Bulldogs who carry their fathers’ names carry a lot of their traits, too.

Shawn Jones Jr. and Sr. each share an angle in addition to a reputation. Each Eric Reeds are “very, very extremely aggressive,” the youthful Reed shared. 

Horton stated he and his father each carry a “laid-back demeanor” that has served them properly.

“We’re not too loud, not too additional,” Horton stated. “We simply are inclined to flow and simply let issues be what they be.”

Nonetheless, there are variations. Horton termed himself “extra of a individuals particular person” than his father is; Jones stated he tends to remain calmer in occasions of disaster.

“He’s sort of received a brief mood, so in the event you flash out actual fast, I can sort of maintain myself collectively a bit of bit,” he stated.

Reed, in the meantime, took a distinct tack when requested to match himself and his dad.

“I work more durable than he do,” the Southeast Missouri graduate switch admitted.

All 4 of the Bulldogs’ “Juniors” have actually labored arduous to get to the Southeastern Convention degree for the primary time.

Every participant is a newcomer on a roster pieced collectively by new coach Chris Jans, with a heavy emphasis on the switch portal.

Jans introduced McNair with him from New Mexico State, whereas Horton transferred in from Albany. Jones is considered one of three true freshmen on the roster.

Collectively, they type a roster with a uncommon focus of “Juniors.”

“I’ve been on quite a lot of groups, and on most groups I’m most likely the one ‘Junior,’ so to have 4, that’s extraordinarily uncommon,” Horton stated. “That’s undoubtedly a novel factor about this crew.”

For the gamers in query, it’s additionally fairly particular.

Jones and Horton each acknowledged carrying their fathers’ names invitations comparisons to their namesakes, however neither appears to thoughts.

“It makes me really feel good as a result of my father means quite a bit to me,” Jones stated. “Simply realizing that I’m in comparison with him, the particular person I look as much as, is definitely good.”

“That’s the best dude I do know, man,” Horton added. “Anytime I get in comparison with my dad, I’m honored.”

Theo DeRosa studies on Mississippi State sports activities for The Dispatch. Observe him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.