EMOTIONAL ENCOUNTER
PC’s Holt, Texas’ Jones share similar story
PROVIDENCE – Completely unscripted, here’s hoping that Emmitt Holt extends his arm for a fist-pump exchange with Andrew Jones at some point Saturday when Providence College and the University of Texas are under the same Dunkin’ Donuts Center roof.
If such a scenario were to unfold, it would immediately vault to the front of the class when sizing up college basketball’s best
“For those two men to be on a college basketball court is really inspiring for other young men and women who might be battling similar circumstances.”
— Providence College coach Ed Cooley
moments from the 2019-20 season.
Like PC’s Holt, the Longhorns’ Jones took a negative and turned it into a positive. The curveball that life threw at each of them may have been different – Holt underwent abdominal surgery while Jones required treatment for leukemia – but both speak the same language when it comes to confronting adversity head-on after being dealt a tough hand.
It’s why Saturday’s 2 p.m. contest should be referenced in the bigger, more important picture. Yes, the Friars these days are in the market of grabbing hold of anything related to positive substance. Still, you can’t help but appreciate stories that are rooted in perseverance and determination – especially around the holiday season.
“They are both walking miracles,” said PC coach Ed Cooley prior to Thursday’s practice. “For those two men to be on a college basketball court is really inspiring for other young men and women who might be battling similar circumstances.”
Friar fans are no doubt very aware of the challenges that Holt has faced over the past few years. In the blink of an eye, he went from the picture of perfect health to fighting for his life.
The comeback trail was far from smooth, but after two seasons when basketball was forced to take a backseat, Holt this season has re-emerged as a steady contributor. Holt has appeared in all 12 of PC’s games thus far, starting four and averaging 17.5 minutes per outing. He ranks fourth in rebounding (4.6) and fifth in scoring (7.1).
A guard who grew up in Texas and was a McDonald’s All-American coming out of high school, Jones was diagnosed with leukemia in January 2018. He rejoined the Longhorns the following November but was shut down from game competition after logging minutes in two games.
The picture became much clearer this past September when Jones reportedly completed his treatments. Similar to Holt, Jones saw the past two seasons all but wiped away due to a health scare that required serious attention. Jones is in his fourth year with the Texas program but is currently listed as a redshirt sophomore.
Should Texas and the player look into recouping an additional season down the line – Jones appeared in 12 games between last season and 201718 – perhaps Jones can take comfort in the NCAA’s decision to grant Holt an ultra-rare sixth season of eligibility.
In terms of on-court contributions, Jones wasted little time in sliding back into coach Shaka Smart’s rotation. He came off the bench to score 20 points in Texas’ season-opening win over Northern Colorado on Nov. 5 and has compiled five games of 10-plus points since his triumphant opening-night return. PC will need to be wary of a player who’s averaging just under 12 ppg and hitting 36 percent of his 3-point attempts.
“He’s a survivor and a great story,” said Cooley when asked about Jones. “On the floor, it looks like he hasn’t missed a beat.”
Shifting to his own team, Cooley knows the Friars can’t run from their current predicament. Coming off a 32-point loss to Florida, PC is down to its final non-conference test before the page is turned and Georgetown comes to The Dunk to ring in the start of Big East play on New Year’s Eve.
At six wins and six losses, Providence seeks to avoid a sub-.500 non-conference record for the first time in the Big East era.
“It’s frustrating, but as the leader and the general, you’ve got to make sure you’re not rattled because they will take your lead,” said Cooley. “When you’re not winning the way you’re accustomed to, you start to doubt yourself. I don’t want our players to doubt themselves.
“It’s not like you can make a trade right now. It’s not like we want to make a trade. I love the guys we’ve got. We’ve just got to do a better job,” Cooley added. “Right now we’re a wounded animal and we’ve got to try come out of it.”