VITALS: 6-9, 218, senior, Miami OVERVIEW: Jones was a third team Big East Conference selection last season after averaging 16.9 points and 6.0 rebounds for Miami. Jones led his team in rebounding 16 times and scored 20 points or more nine times. Jones is a heady player who was named an academic All-American last year after earning academic All-Big East honors all four years of his career. As a junior, Jones averaged 2.4 blocks per game, a number that dipped slightly last year. Jones shot 40 percent on 3-pointers last season and his uncle is Ricky Gutierrez of the Cleveland Indians. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Second round. Miami (33, 53), which saw Jones play plenty during his career, has shown interest. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Monty Williams COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Roshown McLeod ROLE PROJECTION: Key reserve. POSITIVES: Jones is an outstanding shooter. At the Chicago camp, whether it be in drills, warm-ups or games, you could count on one hand the number of long-range shots he missed during the entire week. That ability, coupled with his 6-8 size, makes Jones a player who can contribute in the NBA. He is also a fine shot-blocker. SHORTCOMINGS: Jones plays small, lacks toughness around the basket and will not grab many rebounds. Additionally, Jones is not a prolific scorer off the dribble - he is unassertive and often cannot create enough separation from his defenders to produce room for his shot. Jones looks like a role player at best. At Miami, he ever broke out until his final season.
