Coming off a solid June scholastic stretch with DeMatha, Jones continues to show signs that he’s due for a big jump this coming season as he enters into his upperclassman years. Jones ran the show effectively for a WeR1 group that unfortunately got healthy and hit its stride too late in the summer. While not a standout in terms of size or length, he looks to have taken some notable steps forward physically and had some added bounce in his step while bursting past defenders to make plays from the lane. Jones shows advanced touch on his floaters and is also starting to extend that touch into his pullup game from beyond the arc. The son of a coach and former high-level player, Jones could be an intriguing late bloomer for D1 programs to begin tracking sooner rather than later.

Make or miss, Jones pushed the pace and kept his head on a swivel to effectively distribute the ball. His sense of urgency enabled him to find and exploit cracks in the defense, including the occasional rim attempt for himself. Jones filled it up from beyond the arc too. He knocked down pull-up treys and some catch-and-shoots too. Lastly, he flew around on defense and intercepted passes.

Jones only made one field goal against Him League P32, but his fingerprints were all over the game. Every time he intercepted a pass on defense, he instinctively quarterbacked R1’s transition offense, getting them bucket after bucket. When he created off the bounce, it was usually to set-up someone else, but he got off a floater of his own. Jones cleaned the glass too, including a couple offensive rebounds. 4p 4r 5a 4s

Jones is a nice complement to Tarawally in the Premier backcourt thanks to his floor-spacing ability. Jones can tee it off from well beyond the arc with a high-arching release that, when it goes in, barely seems to touch the net. He can play on the ball and get the offense initiated in the half court or play off the ball as a guy who’s coming off pin downs, elevators, etc. He’s a heady defender who plays with active hands, but a disciplined aggression that puts pressure on the opposing ball handler.

Previous Rank: 128

-Jones spot-started throughout the season and had 24 points to go along with a game-winning jumper in the playoffs. Jones has improved his handle and burst with the ball in his hands to operate in the halfcourt more effectively whether he is on the ball or attacking closeouts from the wing to round out his game. A strong shooter from beyond the arc, Jones has earned himself consistent playing opportunities with his ability to force turnovers at the defensive end of the floor and avoid turnovers at the opposite end. Will be interesting to track where he ends up during this AAU season as he seems destined for a bigger role in the Stags’ backcourt next year.

-Jones plays like a coach’s son. His innate feel and the patience/calm in his processing in chaotic situations stands out as a young prospect that isn’t really afraid of the moment. Liked the progressions I’ve seen from him even since the spring as a playmaker, he’s delivering more well-placed and well-timed passes in pocket pass feeds or skips along the baseline. Jones can also really shoot it from beyond the arc as a guard that doesn’t need a whole lot of space to get his shot off. Expect a much bigger role for the young guard this season as a shooter that they fly off of screens and as a secondary ball handler in the halfcourt.

Jones was effective doing whatever was needed for the good of the team. He showed that he can score the ball in a multitude of ways. Jones showcased his ability to facilitate by finding his teammates often for scoring chances of their own. His quick first step allows him to live in the paint. He found ways to get to the charity stripe. Jones plays with an assertive motor on either end of the floor. He was able to also come up with rebounds.