Tyus Jones went from prep basketball legend at Apple Valley to a national champion at Duke to a first-round pick by the Timberwolves in a very short amount of time. He chatted Thursday with the Star Tribune's Michael Rand about the various points of his evolution:

Q I was looking through Instagram the other day and came across a shot I took of you during your post-draft party in June at the 508. Thinking back to that moment, can you reflect on what that night meant to you?

A I remember that night so well. I know it like the back of my hand. I'll never forget everything about that night. It was one of the best nights of my life. I just remember talking with Flip [Saunders] on the phone, and him telling me that the Cavaliers were about to draft me but that we already had a trade set up and I was going to be a Timberwolf. Immediately I just broke down. Being able to be a part of my hometown team and knowing that Flip believed in me, that just means the world — to know that someone is taking a chance and believes in you. And then, him, Milt [Newton] and Mr. [Glen] Taylor all walked down the street and came to my draft party. It just shows a lot about the three of them and how much of a family this is around here.

Q Did that make the next 4-5 months after that, with Flip's untimely passing, harder for you maybe even more than some of the other guys on the team who didn't know him as well?

A Me, personally, it did. I've known Flip since I was in high school. I had a good relationship with him. The fact that he still believed in me and to be a part of his team and be a point guard on his team, that meant a lot to me. For him to pass — he took a chance on me and made my dream a reality.

Q Bigger transition — high school to college or college to the NBA?

A I don't think I can answer that yet. It's still early for me. It's just different. Playing time is different.

Q Does it blow your mind to think that two years ago you were playing in high school still?

A It does. My brother [Tre] is getting ready to play in the section final [Apple Valley won, advancing to the Class 4A state tournament], and my final high school game was two years ago today. It seems like so much has gone on since then.

Q Tre is obviously a fantastic basketball player, too. Will he eclipse you someday?

A  That's a good question, and everyone asks me that. I'm a very overprotective big brother so I always make sure to look out for him and try not to put too much pressure on him, but I definitely think he could. He's on the right path. He's on the same path, but at the same time it's different because he's writing his own story. He has a chance to be as good if not better than me someday.

Q You've been playing more regular minutes lately. What do you want to accomplish in the final six weeks or so of your rookie season?

A Just continue to improve every day on both ends of the floor. I want to become a better floor general for this team — someone who can run the second unit when I'm out there. Just be a positive staple on this team and try to help contribute as much as I can.