Question: Why did you decide to return to UK this season?
Answer: Really, I just felt it was a better situation for me. All the problems the NBA was having at the time and still having. Playing college basketball is fun to me, and I'd rather do that than not be playing at all.
Q: Was the NBA lockout really on your mind?
A: Yeah.
Q: What was your concern with the lockout?
A: I just didn't see a point of sitting all the way when I could be playing. That's just what I like to do: play basketball.
Q: What advice did (former NBA player) Damon Stoudamire (a family relative) give you?
A: Really to do what I want, but to know the lockout is real. Do what's the best decision for me, and don't (turn pro) just because everybody tells you to.
Q: Who else gave you advice?
A: Really, I kept my circle tight. People I always talk to: My mom, Damon and my coach.
Q: What did Coach Calipari say to you?
A: He really didn't say too much, just because he wants all his players to make the decision for themselves. He doesn't want to seem like he's telling them to go. So he really just tried to lay out information for me about the NBA. And if I want to go, he'll be right there with me.
Q: Was last season fulfilling for you?
A: It was great, just proving so many people wrong, and just having so many exciting games on our road to the Final Four.
Q: What do you mean by proving people wrong?
A: I mean, just hearing the night before, every announcer on ESPN say we're going to lose. We're going to lose three straight. It really was a motivating factor for me. It makes you want to go harder.
Q: What's left for you to achieve this season?
A: A national championship. That's really the only thing I care about. Any personal awards or anything like that doesn't matter much.
About Jones: He was the second-leading scorer (15.7 ppg) and leading rebounder (8.8) on Kentucky's 2010-11 Final Four team. Projected by some as an NBA lottery pick, Jones decided to remain at UK "to try to win a national championship" and to get more mature. "College was just too fun, and I wasn't ready to leave," he added, saying his goal is to be a top-three pick in the 2012 draft.
