Prospect Spotlight: Hunter Jones (2018)
(Photo Credit: Times Tribune)
We are on the tail end of summer and around the country college prospects at all levels are working on their game, and working toward earning an opportunity to play at the next level after their high school career is complete. Prep Hoops Kentucky puts the spotlight on prospects around the Bluegrass State.
Hunter Jones is a 6’5 wing/small forward from McCreary Central in Stearns, KY. Jones helped lead the Raiders to a 15-15 overall record before losing to Wayne County during the first round of the 48th District Tournament. “Last year was okay. We went .500 as a team for the first time in a while for our high school, but we still got put out in the first round of the district,” said Jones about his junior season. “We were a young team and we are in one of the toughest districts in the state in my opinion.”
“For me, I feel like I have had three below average years. I think other players would be happy having seasons like I had, but I don’t think in any of them I have played to my potential.” Jones averaged just over 15 points and 4 rebounds while shooting 50% from the field (41% from 3-point range).
Next season, Jones hopes to lead McCreary Central to a district title and make a run in the 12th Region. “We have the tools to do that, I just have to lead with my play while being a vocal leader as well.”
Individually, Jones believes himself to be one of the more underrated players in the 2018 class. He’s hoping to prove himself soon. “For myself. I want to not only be one of the best players in the region, but in the state. I do feel as if I’m the most underrated player in my class because I haven’t shown fully what I can do.”
This summer Jones played AAU ball with Charlotte Court and worked on a number of aspects of his game to get better. “After last season, my high school coach challenged me to get stronger and to work on finishing through contact once I got to the rim. This summer that’s what I tried to do, was get the the rim and he really praised me on how much I can finish through contact now. I had been on the weights, too. I’ve added 15 pounds to my frame. I’ve also continued working on my jump shot.”
Summer ball with his high school team seemed to show some promise for the upcoming season, as well. “We really made leaps and bounds as a team and I did so myself. I had several 30 point outings and one 40 point. I have worked hard on my game and I really played well.
In describing his game, Hunter had this to say: “One of my new favorite players has to be Lonzo Ball. All of how everyone talks about how he moves the ball ahead and how he lets his teammates get involved first is exactly how I have played my game forever. I love to facilitate and to just get the ball to teammates at the perfect time for them to score.”
In the classroom, Jones carries a 3.8 GPA and is looking to improve his ACT score. In a college destination he says – “It doesn’t really matter to me about the size or level of the school, just the best fit for me to come in and play. It’s really for me just getting my education payed for doing what I love to do the most.”
Currently not holding an offer, Hunter is receiving interest from Georgetown College, Cedarville University, Campbellsville University, and University of Chicago.