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    What Tre Jones Brings to the NBA

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    By: Justin Girshon

    March 31, 2020

    Photo via accsports.com

    Value

    Tre Jones will be a great value pick for whichever team decides to draft him later this year. Most mock drafts have Jones landing anywhere from 18-35 but I believe Jones will be definitely be drafted no later than the 28th pick. In his Sophmore year at Duke, Jones averaged: 16.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.4 APG, 1.9 SPG on 42.3% from the field, 36.1% from three (9.9% increase from his Freshman year), 77.1% from the free throw line, and 47.4 eFG%. As a reward for his great season, Jones was named ACC Player of the Year, ACC Defensive Player of the Year and was named an AP Third Team All American. Unfortunately for Jones, this year’s point guard class is loaded with talent. I believe Jones is the 6th best point guard in the 2020 class behind (in order) LaMelo Ball, Killian Hayes, Tyrese Hailburton, Cole Anthony, and Nico Mannion. There are also other talented point guards being projected in the late first round/second round such as Kira Lewis Jr, Theo Maledone, Cassius Winston, Devon Dotson, and Ashton Hagans. Due to this year’s very deep point guard class, Jones has a great chance of becoming a draft night steal.

    Photo via pistonpowered.com

    Durability

    In his Freshman year at Duke, Jones set the all-time University record in assist-turnover ratio (3.62) breaking Steve Wojciechowski’s record of 3.03 from 1997. In his Sophmore year, Jones’ assist-turnover ratio fell to 2.37 (still good for 35th amongst all D1 players) but this is a direct result of becoming a top scoring option. It is safe to assume that Jones’ assist-turnover ratio in the NBA will be closer to his Freshman year number because he likely won’t be relied on to score and has already proven his durability playing alongside 3 NBA players in his Freshman year (Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Cam Reddish). In addition to his superb assist-turnover ratio, Jones is a workhorse. In his Freshman year, Jones averaged 34.2 minutes per game (85.5% of a game) and in his Sophmore year, he averaged 35.4 minutes per game (88.5%) of the game. Although it’s unlikely Tre will get as much playing time in the NBA, when/if his name is called to play big minutes; he will be ready.

    Photo via nypost.com

    Lockdown Defender

    Throughout his two year collegiate career, Jones has earned a reputation for being one of the best defenders in all of College Basketball. Jones is a 2x ACC All-Defensive Team recipient, 1x ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and a finalist for this year’s Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. In his Freshman year, Jones averaged 1.9 steals per game with a 96.0 defensive rating and his Sophmore year averaged 1.8 steals per game and a 93.9 defensive rating. On top of this, Jones has a great reputation for his on-ball defense. Jones applies constant pressure on opposing point guards, tips passes, contests shots, and is lock down on the perimeter.

    Photo via si.com

    Projected Draft Range:

    19-28

    Strengths:

    – Perimeter defense

    – On-ball defense

    – High IQ

    – Mid-range shooting

    – Great floor general

    – Clutch

    -Leadership

    – Hardworking

    – NBA ready

    Weaknesses:

    – Still developing a consistent three point shot

    – Slightly undersized

    – Average athlete

    – Doesn’t have as much upside as other point guards in the draft

    Player Comparisons:

    Shooting: Tyus Jones

    Passing/Floor General: Fred VanVleet

    Rebounding: Derrick Rose

    Defense: Avery Bradley

    Team fits (based on projected draft range):

    – Celtics

    – Nets

    – Jazz

    Photo via bustingbrackets.com

    Thanks for reading! Check out @dukembb.report on Instagram for more Duke coverage!

    #Duke #CollegeBasketball #NBA

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    I am an 11th grader from New York City who enjoys writing about Major League Baseball. @mlbzone_ on Instagram

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    Justin Girshon
    I am an 11th grader from New York City who enjoys writing about Major League Baseball. @mlbzone_ on Instagram

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