Eshaunte “Bear” Jones told the Journal Star on Sunday there’d be a “big chance” he’d commit to the Nebraska basketball team by the end of the week.

Happy early weekend.

Jones, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard, has chosen Nebraska, said his AAU coach, Eric Vaughn.

“It’s a done deal,” Vaughn said Tuesday.

Jones couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. A source said Jones wanted to visit with his mother first before making an official announcement on Friday.

When reached by phone Tuesday, Jones’ mother confirmed that Eshaunte had decided on Nebraska.

Jones, who was also considering Kentucky, visited Lincoln over the weekend.

“I just had the time of my life there,” Jones said Sunday. “It’s one of my favorite visits I ever took.”

A graduate of Fort Wayne North Side High School, Jones was an all-state player who’d committed to Indiana in the fall of 2006. He instead attended prep school at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia, where he played last season.

Jones signed with Oregon State but was released from his letter of intent when the school changed coaching staffs. Nebraska is scheduled to play Oregon State in the next two seasons.

Jones must clear the NCAA academic clearinghouse. Vaughn said that shouldn’t be an issue.

Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.