Rubin Jones details skill-set, how Dusty May courted him to Michigan: 'It was a different feel playing against him'

The Michigan Wolverines are gearing up for their first season under head coach Dusty May with almost an entire flip of the roster. May’s first commitment – North Texas transfer Rubin Jones – could be a foundational piece in year one of the revamp.

Jones, who spoke about May this week in a chat with Michigan basketball voice Brian Boesch on the Defend The Block podcast, said that his new head coach carried a lot of cache with him during the recruiting process.

North Texas and Florida Atlantic were foes in Conference USA and the AAC, and Jones had a few first-hand looks at what his new head coach brings to the table.

“[The interest meant] a lot just because early on I knew that he was a really good coach on day one,” Jones said. “The first time we played him, I knew it was a different feel playing against him. His sets are kind of different. We were just so confused and just playing against him. Getting that blessing from him, knowing that he believed in me and my game so much, it meant a lot to me.”

“The first time we played him vividly I remember running into a screen from Vlad [Goldin] and feeling like my shoulder popping out of place. I remember just chasing people all around the court. It’s just a whole different feeling against Coach May.”

Jones was among the first targeted by May as he shaped Michigan in his image after he spent four years with the Mean Green. He’s coming off a career season, averaging 12.1 points per game with 3.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 39.6% from the floor and 41.6% in 2023-24. He is a career 36.6% three-point shooter but shot 40.6% during his freshman year.

“Coach Drew [Williamson] hit me up and then immediately after that Coach May came into the picture,” Jones said of his portal recruitment. “[A lot of schools were calling], but it’s a difference when a head coach is actually calling you every day, telling you, ‘I want you here.’  That’s what really made the difference. I already knew he was a good person from playing against him so much. And I never really saw him lose his cool on the sideline.

“I’m really observant. I really pay attention to people and never really saw him lose his cool. My coach at North Texas was really close with Coach May and he always put in good words before I even thought about hitting the portal. So I already knew what he was kind of about, but it’s just amazing just having it right in front of you.”

The Wolverines needed a tone-setter. He’s expected to defend with the best of them and can play the one through four spots on the floor. Jones wears that proudly.

“In eighth grade, I got an award for being the most versatile player, being able to play multiple positions,” Jones said. “And throughout my whole high school career, I felt like that was always my strong suit. So coming in freshman year, I was actually recruited as a wing, because on my AAU team, I played on a wing. And we didn’t have a secondary point guard. So I played point guard my freshman year a little bit, but when [the starter] got in the game, I’d play from the two to the four. Whatever you need, I’ll play it. And I’m always team first. I love to pass. 

“I do like playing point guard, but. I’m definitely a player that you can kind of put in any system, put in any situation, and I’m going to figure out a way to get it done.”

Michigan’s defense – regardless of the total roster makeover – has been diminishing over the last several seasons, plummeting to 182nd in the country on KenPom last season. Jones’ mentality could go a long way in reversing those fortunes.

“Since I was young, I always had a knack for defending,” Jones said. “I always loved defending. I actually grew up playing against my big brother every single day, and he was beating me every single day.”

“So it started; that’s how I basically got into basketball, trying to figure out a way to stop my big brother from scoring on me. So he would be like… ‘You step back, you stay back, I’m going to shoot it. If you come up, I’m going to go right by you.’ So I had to kind of figure out a balance of, ‘How can I beat him?'”

“It’s a little brother, just as being a little brother. But I feel like that kind of helped me, like, just think more about the game on the defensive end. A lot of people teach you all these offensive concepts and all these things, but at the end of the day, you can get stops, you can also win this game. Like, it’s not just about getting buckets. … I wasn’t always the best scorer. I wasn’t always the most, like, you look in the box score, I’m never going to be the top of it every time, because I love to pass the ball so much.”