VITALS: 6-11, 250, St. Joseph's OVERVIEW: A two-year starter, Jones ranked fifth in the nation with 11.6 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game, earning Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year and second team All Conference honors in 2004-05. He averaged 10.1 points and shot 51 percent from the floor as a junior and declared for the draft. Jones became the first Hawks player to average a double-double since the 1995-96 season and notched the first triple-double since 1986 when he had 11 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 10 blocks vs. St. Bonaventure. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Jones might be able to sneak into the bottom part of the first round for one reason: He has NBA level shot-blocking ability. Teams like Seattle (25), Utah (27) and Miami (29) would likely have interest. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: P.J. Brown COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Corie Blount ROLE PROJECTION: Backup power forward-center. POSITIVES: Jones shows signs of being an elite shot-blocker. He specialized in that category as a junior and demonstrated it again at the NBA Pre-Draft Camp. Jones also uses his leaping ability to rebound, especially on the defensive boards. Jones has the wingspan and shoulders that suggest he eventually could become an intimidating defensive force. SHORTCOMINGS: Jones has only a rudimentary offensive game. He averaged only 7.1 points per game in college and that was mostly on follow shots and dunks. He does have a clever reverse move that he favors down low, but his post game and footwork are still in the early stages. He is not a threat to step out and hit the 15-footer at this time, which means his man can stay near the basket and be a better team defender.
I think the 76ers would be making a good choice by drafting Jones at 45. When you look at what he brings to the table, the 76ers need. They need a big who can come in and play defense off the bench. This guy blocks shots and cleans up the boards, I think he would be an excellant pick for the Sixers.
