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Key stats: 19.7 points, 6.4 assists, 1.6 turnovers, 50.6 percent FG, 1.8 3PTM
Mock draft position 10/28: No. 47
Mock draft position: 1/13: No. 28
Kam Jones averaged 17.2 points on 50.1 percent shooting and 40.6 percent from three last year, yet he still didn’t have a lot of support from NBA scouts. It’s become difficult to nitpick his fit now that’s he raised his assist percentage from 16.6 percent to 40.6 percent.
At his current rate, he’d be the only NCAA player on record to register a 40.0 assist percentage and a turnover percentage under 10.0. That’s also with a high usage rate.
With Tyler Kolek gone, Jones has seemingly taken on a new mentality. He’s put a clear emphasis on being a setup guy for Marquette. He’s thinking pass in pick-and-rolls, and he’s making sound reads. His head is always up and surveying in transition. He’s processing quickly and identifying corner shooters who have some room.
At the least, Jones is making a case that he can offer secondary playmaking from the 2-guard/combo spot. He’s showing more versatility and layers of offense.
Meanwhile, Jones has proven plenty as a shotmaker (279 career threes) for scouts to bet on NBA-level shooting. And he’s consistently been one of the nation’s best rim-finishing guards, with an ability to make unteachable reads and physical adjustments.
Jones is turning 23 next month, which history says will work against him during the draft. But I’ve moved him into the first round, thinking a rotational guard at the 1 and 2 looks like a reasonable outcome for him.
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