NBA Comparison: Jaxson Hayes/Jaren Jackson Jr.

Strengths: Jones is an explosive athlete who plays with one of the highest motors in all of college basketball … He can jump through the roof and finish with authority while doing so … Very fast in the open floor with quick feet to get open or defend small opponents on the perimeter … Powerful and athletic stretch five who can defend on the perimeter and in the post … Stretches the floor with his ability to knock down threes … Capable ball-handler who can beat large defenders on the dribble and lead in transition … Soars for rebounds and rim-runs as he has a high vertical and body control to adjust in the air … Potential to defend one through five because of his athleticism and quickness … Lengthy big who uses his long arms to his advantage around the rim with flexible dunks and blocks above the rim … Can hit jumpers off the dribble in the mid-range and on the perimeter … Extra year at Texas served him well with much improved shooting and more minutes … Superstar potential because of his size, athleticism, and perimeter shooting ability … Shoots 63% inside the arc despite tendency to shoot mid-range shots as well … Long legs and explosive first step unlock slashing ability in match-ups with traditional centers who cannot hang with his speed … Defensive versatility allows him to play as a traditional big or alongside another center, which he has done alongside Jericho Sims at Texas … 39% three-point shooter, a 10% increase from his freshman year,  showing his rapid development and superstar potential … Improved Net Rating from 8.9 to 24.1 from his freshman year to sophomore year … Freak athlete and potential make him one of the most intriguing NBA prospects whose draft stock has soared all season long into the late-lottery or mid-first round …

Weaknesses: Jones stands at 6’11 but at 220 lbs, currently lacks the strength to hold position in the paint with powerful big men … The Big-12 Championship game showed flashes of limitless potential, but foul trouble and poor decisions limited him to only 18 minutes … Only averaged 22 minutes per game and just under 9 points per game, which are noticeably low for someone with the skillset of Jones … Despite his size and high vertical, he only averaged five rebounds per game and less than 9 rebounds per 40 minutes. While he often competes with running mate Jericho Sims, the smaller senior averages 12 rebounds per 40 minutes and often creates more of an impact in the paint than Jones … Even with his impressive ball-handling and body control for his size, Jones does not rack up assists or showcase playmaking ability … His leaping ability and length should induce more than 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks per game even with his limited playing time … Nearly three fouls per game in only 22 minutes provides plenty of room for improvement …

Notes: Measured 6’10.0” Barefoot, 6’11.5” in shoes 9’2.5” standing reach, 221.4 lbs, and 7’1.75” wingspan at the 2021 NBA Draft Combine …  2020-21 Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year … 6’11, 218lb sophomore … #50 in 2019 RSCI … Born in Nassau, Bahamas …

Derek Bast 3/15/21