Ht/Wt: 6-8 / 250 lbs
Position: PF
Team: West Virginia
Class: Senior

2012 Draft Profile - Kevin Jones

Kevin Jones is a 6'8" 260 pound forward who played the last 4 years at West Virginia University. He played all 40 minutes in his last game as a Mountaineer, in a disappointing 77-54 loss to Gonzaga in last year's NCAA tournament.

It's hard to find a harder working player in this draft than Kevin Jones. Effort and tenacity define the aspects of his game on offense, defense, and on the glass. Jones worked himself from key contributor over the first three years of his career, to a national player of the year candidate during his final campaign. His senior year stats include a 19.9 ppg average, 10.9 rebounds, 78% from the free throw line, and 50% shooting from the floor.

On offense Jones is at his best on block with a smaller defender on him that he can either overpower, or shoot his one hand hook over top of. His perimeter game has gotten better throughout his career, but his jumpshot isn't consistent enough that he can count on it. From 3 point range Jones has the ability to make the shot and shoot it at an effective percentage, but he needs to choose his spots better and certainly not lean on it as a primary means of offense. In Jones sophomore season he shot 40% from 3 point range on 104 attempts, the next year he shot 30% on 103 attempts, and finally he shot 26% on 128 attempts last season. His form and release could stand to be improved, but making better decisions about when to shoot from downtown would be a big help to get him back to the 40% days from his sophomore season. The part of Jones offensive game he is best known for is being a monster on the offensive glass, he has a great nose for the ball and as stated before is a relentless worker. Jones is also someone you can count on to run the floor with his point guard and is an effective finisher with his own shot or the miss of a teammate.

Defensively, he uses his length well disrupting the passing lanes and contesting jump shots. Jones is better at moving his feet and staying in front of his man than he is often given credit for and can hold his own on the block in post defense. He has improvements to make as a help defender and can do better in pick and roll situations, but with his willingness to work the improvements in these aspects of his game are going to come.

On the next level Jones inconsistent jumpshot will probably mean he starts his career coming off the bench, but his energy level and work on the offensive glass should mean immediate minutes wherever he lands. At the least Jones could spend a long time in the NBA as an energy guy off the bench if he doesn't improve on offense. However, the further development of his offensive game could one day see Jones become one of the better forwards in the NBA. NBA Comparison: Ron Artest.
Player profile submitted by: Corey Bugg

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