NBA Comparison: Derrick Jones

Strengths: 6’9 left-handed athletic forward … Good length with a 7’0 wingspan … Highly active and explosive athlete. Consistently runs the floor hard. Reliable finisher in transition and in the half-court, catching dump-offs without having to gather. Good second jump. Throws down dunks and finishes with either hand. Quick step with the ball. Flashes use of pivots and footwork … Shoots from midrange and shows a fadeaway in the post … Very willing screener. Effective cutter off the ball and lob target around the rim … Efficient scorer. Averaged 18.6 points per game on 51.5% FG% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 and 12.1 points per game on a league best 67% FG% over the EYBL Scholastic in 2024-25 … Aggressive slasher and draws fouls at a good rate. Shot 5.3 free throws per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 … Solid court vision and passing ability. Capable of hitting open shooters cross-court with either hand … Solid rebounder on both ends. Consistently crashes the offensive glass and reads opportunities for tip-slams. Averaged 6.1 (2.1 offensive) rebounds per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 and 6.1 (1.9 offensive) rebounds per game over the EYBL Scholastic in 2024-25 … Consistent effort, intensity, and versatility as a defender. Moves his feet well in a stance when guarding the perimeter and defends the post well. Averaged a 5^th best 1.3 blocks per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 … Plays with consistent aggression, energy, and tenacity …

Weaknesses: Needs to continue to add strength, especially as much as he likes contact and plays in the paint. Can get bumped off his path too easily when attacking … Much more effective offensively when assisted rather than creating for himself. Can expand his half-court offensive game and scoring technique when he doesn’t dunk. Struggles scoring in traffic. His effectiveness can be limited when the game slows down and he doesn’t get as many transition opportunities. Has much room to expand his post-game, needs to add consistency to his fadeaway and jump hook. Limited scoring range and his shot doesn’t get ideal or full rotation. Shot 12.5% 3PT% on 3.4 3PT attempts per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 and 30% 3PT% on 0.8 3PT attempts per game over the EYBL Scholastic in 2024-25 … Poor free throw shooter. Shot 56.8% FT% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 and 55.2% FT% over the EYBL Scholastic in 2024-25 … Reliant on triple-threat to get by his defender can tighten up as a ball-handler. Travels more often than he should …

Outlook: Syracuse freshman … Transferred to IMG Academy for his senior year … Scored 10 points (4-5 FG) in the 2025 Jordan Brand Classic … 2025 EYBL Scholastic 2^nd Team …

Evan Tomes 9/16/25

Strengths: 6’8 left-handed power forward … Good length with a 7’0 wingspan … Highly active and explosive athlete. Reliable finisher in transition and in the half-court, catching dump-offs without having to gather. Good second jump. Throws down dunks and finishes with either hand … Shoots from midrange and shows a fadeaway in the post … Effective cutter off the ball … Averaged 18.6 points per game on 51.5% FG% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 … Flashes some ball-handling. Aggressive slasher and draws fouls at a good rate. Shot 5.3 free throws per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 … Solid passing ability and capable of hitting open shooters cross-court … Solid rebounder on both ends. Reads opportunities for tip-slams. Averaged 6.1 (2.1 offensive) rebounds per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 … Consistent effort, intensity, and versatility as a defender. Moves his feet well in a stance when guarding the perimeter and defends the post well. Averaged a 5^th best 1.3 blocks per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 … Plays with consistent aggression, energy, and tenacity …

Weaknesses: Needs to continue to add strength, especially as much as he likes contact and plays in the paint … Can expand his half-court offensive game and scoring technique when he doesn’t dunk. Doesn’t have much of a post-game and can struggle scoring in traffic. Needs to add consistency to his fadeaway. Limited scoring range and shot doesn’t get ideal or full rotation. Shot 12.5 3PT% on 3.4 3PT attempts per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 … Poor free throw shooter. Shot 56.8% FT% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 … Reliant on triple-threat to get by his defender can tighten up as a ball-handler … Intrigues more as a wing prospect but has a way to go in developing his ball skills and approach …

Outlook: Syracuse commit … Transferred to IMG Academy for his senior year …

Evan Tomes 11/18/24

Notes: Measured 6′ 6.5” barefoot, 181 lbs, and a 7′ 0.0” wingspan at the 2023 Nike Elite 100 …