NBA Draft Insider

College: Kentucky

Birthday: 01/09/1992

NBA Position: PF

Class: Sophomore

Ht: 6-8

Wt: 244

Hometown: Portland, OR

High School: Jefferson

Ceiling: Lamar Odom

Basement: Joe Alexander

NBA Comparison: Thaddeus Young

Strengths:

• Athletic
• Strong
• Long (7-2 Wingspan)
• Good Ball-Handler
• Good Rebounder
• Good Passer
• Versatile, Combo Forward

Weaknesses:

• Basketball IQ (Poor Attitude)
• Shot Selection
• Over Dribbles
• Inconsistent Shooter

Analysis: 

05/10/2012

Terrence Jones has declared for the NBA Draft leaving Kentucky hiring an agent.

Another enigma in this years draft class is Jones out of Kentucky. The sophomore combo-forward has a very diverse skill-set for a player his size. He has the speed and athleticism to play the small froward out on the perimeter. His quickness and shooting compliment his other perimeter skills to play out there.

In the paint Jones is a ferocious rebounder and strong finisher, which allows him to play the power forward as well. Athletically Jones translates better as a power forward with the mismatches he can create on the court.

When motivated and focused Jones is in all likelihood the most talented prospect in this years class. Jones is a very good rebounder for a player his size. He is a quality ball-handler and play-maker for others for a power forward. He is a modest shooter, but can get hot from deep.

All of those skills are directly effected by whether or not Jones is able to keep his emotions in check. Throughout games Jones has been known to get visibly upset and lose his temper. That is huge for team chemistry, if he is not able to keep his emotions at bay it will affect his career.

As of today Jones is the No. 7 power forward, is going No. 19 Overall in the Mock Draft, and is the No. 19 prospect on the Big Board.

02/12/2012

In the game of basketball there are very few things Jones cannot do. He is as dynamic and versatile a player there is. He can play both forward positions and create mismatches all over the court. For a big man Jones has a good handle and can start or finish a fast-break. Athletically he is one of the better ones in the country gifted with a strong frame, great length, and solid speed. Jones nearly has every tool a No.1 pick would have for a franchise changing talent.

The few tools that Jones does not have happen to be some of the more important ones like mental make-up and poise of any kind. Jones tends to fade in games and can be a complete non-factor on both ends of the floor. When he is not having a good game he has been confrontational to opponents and teammates. His overall feel for the game seems to not be there and he has trouble making a consistent impact on games. Nearly no progression has been made for Jones on those specific short comings. On the court his numbers have slipped as well playing three less minutes a game scoring and rebounding less, but shooting slightly better.

I have gone on record saying I have not seen a more talented prospect since LeBron James as an amateur. Jones has all the tools to be anywhere from Lamar Odom to even loftier heights. The problem is, just like Odom, he does not have the mental side of basketball down yet. Once (if) he gets that part down then he will make a significant impact. Until then he is a risk by any team that selects him.

5/13/2011

Coming into the 2010-2011 college season it was debatable that Jones was the most “talented” prospect in the class. He is able to do a little bit of everything on the court and do it better than his opposition. The issue with Jones is not talent; he is an incredible prospect with the highest ceiling of any prospect not named Durant, Griffin or Wall.

Jones needs to learn how to harness emotions and let them make him a better player. Often in games Jones becomes visibly upset and it affects his game in a negative way more often than not. That is a huge red flag; Jones needs to have more self-control on the court.

That is the big focus for Jones, once he can use those emotions to make him an effective player he will find more consistency. Early in his freshman season Jones was unstoppable, he was one of the best players in the country both offensively and defensively. Once he channels that version of “Terrence Jones” his ceiling is unlimited.

2010

Jones is a smooth lefty who moves well off the dribble for a forward. He is more of a point forward and has the ability to create shots for teammates. His overall offensive game is there and his length will make him a tough defender in time. Jones is a potential sleeper (No. 15 on ESPN) and has the skills to be the breakout player in Kentucky as a freshman. Some polish to his jumper and a more defined role could see Jones crack the Top 5.

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