Borges: UConn appears to be strong with Derrick Jones

[tcf15]

David Borges ‏@DaveBorges 2m
Will Jackson out, but #UConn appears strong w/Derrick Jones, per his AAU coach (and New Haven native) Terrell Myers

http://borgesblognhr.blogspot.com/2014/07/will-jackson-decommits-but-uconn.html

 

[UconnU]

Whats the scouting report on Jones? Seems really long and athletic but how are his ball handling skills, shooting skills, passing skills? His tapes seem to be mostally just dunks...

 

[tcf15]

Whats the scouting report on Jones? Seems really long and athletic but how are his ball handling skills, shooting skills, passing skills? His tapes seem to be mostally just dunks...

Reports are he's a freak athlete but needs to become a better all-around basketball player and continue to round out his game.

 

[Candyman]

I read he plans to visit, Kansas, Kentucky and Louisville.

 

[david]

Whats the scouting report on Jones? Seems really long and athletic but how are his ball handling skills, shooting skills, passing skills? His tapes seem to be mostally just dunks...

After the NBPA 100 camp people were saying his ball handling and shooting looked very improved and that he was one of the top players at the camp. I think defensively he could defend the 2,3 and even the 4 a little bit because of his athleticism/length

 

[YearoftheHusky]

Whats the scouting report on Jones? Seems really long and athletic but how are his ball handling skills, shooting skills, passing skills? His tapes seem to be mostally just dunks...

Per his coach.

"He's extremely athletic, and really knows how to play the game of basketball, as well. He understands the nuances of it, all the small details. That's the greatest thing about him. His upside can be tremendous, he's just still scratching the surface. He's so athletic, people don’t understand other things he can do because he wows you with his athleticism."

 

[nomar]

His AAU coach is Terrell Myers. IIRC, I saw Myers and Shamon Antrum lead past Wilbur Cross for the Class LL title back in 1990. (I think those guys were on that team. I seem to recall there also being a 6'4" center named Kevin Hood, but 24 years is a long time ago -- and you can't find this stuff on YouTube!)

Edit: Googled this, looking for more info. Can't find an article about the game, but I think I was wrong: Lamont Carter was the star on the 1990 Hillhouse team, and he went on to play for LaSalle. Sadly, Kevin Hood was shot to death in the mid-1990s. Myers and Antrum were both '92 grads.

 

[OkaForPrez]

I would LOVE to have Never Nervous' Kid in a UConn uni. That was the most exciting thing in the whole Blog.

 

[kansashusky]

Stop teasing me, David. Seriously I really like this kid and think defensively he could be special. Love his versatility.

 

[otp85]

Whats the scouting report on Jones? Seems really long and athletic but how are his ball handling skills, shooting skills, passing skills? His tapes seem to be mostally just dunks...

From what I've seen his ball handling, shooting and passing skills were all question marks and could all use work. But they are all getting it. Most notably, he has been shooting very well. I've seen him a few times this summer and he honestly gets better every time. Last time I saw him he dropped 31 at the Mary Kline Classic; and that wasn't against nobodys.

You only need to watch a few seconds of any highlight tape to realize that he has athleticism that is hard to match. He also plays D and has a high basketball IQ. These attributes alone make him an exciting recruit. If his improvement as a shooter is for real then he is literally everything you want in a wing. Ball handling/passing I believe are lesser concerns, we already have those guys, let him be who they pass it to.

 

[Brochacho]

So is Jones a less-developed version of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist?

 

[Rocktheworld]

So is Jones a less-developed version of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist?

Based on what otp has said after actually watching him play several times, he sounds like a super athletic version of Lasan Kromah

 

[Chin Diesel]

Based on what otp has said after actually watching him play several times, he sounds like a super athletic version of Lasan Kromah

Is he a better natural athlete than Andre Drummond? If not, I don't want him.

 

[otp85]

So is Jones a less-developed version of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist?

Based on what otp has said after actually watching him play several times, he sounds like a super athletic version of Lasan Kromah

Better offensively than MKG, better shooter than him if you put the two in a gym together today. Although that's not saying much. MKG is stronger. The 2 are actually not much alike if you ask me.

Love the Super Kromah comparison. Had never thought of him that way but I like it.

 

[otp85]

Is he a better natural athlete than Andre Drummond? If not, I don't want him.

The only person I can think of that's a better natural athlete than Andre Drummond is named LeBron.

And was that an insult towards Lasan Kromah somehow? If so, why??????

 

[dogfan96]

So is Jones a less-developed version of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist?

No.. Jones looks to have good form on his shot. Probably just needs more work in the gym.. MKG has terrible form and probably will never be a good shooter

 

[husky99]

Smith or Jones. .. I would take either. . But Smith is my top pick

 

[UCONNfan1]

Upgrades, baby...!

 

[David 76]

The only person I can think of that's a better natural athlete than Andre Drummond is named LeBron.

You both forgot Scott Burrell!

 

[Calhoun's Court]

You both forgot Scott Burrell!

Donny Marshall was probably one of the top 3 pure athletes to ever lace them up at UCONN.

 

[CAHUSKY]

You both forgot Scott Burrell!

Thank god someone pointed that out.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Smith or Jones. .. I would take either. . But Smith is my top pick

Mirror image games according to the scouting reports. Smith is a couple of inches taller but I'd take who ever wants it more.

 

[tentoes4rings]

Donny Marshall was probably one of the top 3 pure athletes to ever lace them up at UCONN.

Seriously? Donny could run the court extremely well but was never known as a tremendous leaper or an amazing athlete. Have to strongly disagree with you on this one.

Burrell
Drummond
Ray
Doug Wrenn
Stanley

 

[Chin Diesel]

Please, can we stay on topic?!?

From the 4-letter, here's the beginning of the write-up for Smith and for Jones.

Smith is listed as 6'8" 180lbs. Ranked #26 Overall

Smith runs the floor on the break extremely well and is a major factor on the glass especially offensively. He is a tip dunk, tip in threat or he simply keeps the ball alive. Smith is an excellent slasher and defensively can defend both wings and some smaller power forwards....

Jones is listed as 6'6" 180 lbs. Ranked #27 Overall.

Jones is a gifted physical prospect with good size, tremendous length, and athleticism. His ability to play above the rim is almost unmatched in the open floor as he excels at running lanes and catching lobs. He's as smooth as he is explosive, able to virtual glide through and above ...

 

[UconnU]

Please, can we stay on topic?!?

From the 4-letter, here's the beginning of the write-up for Smith and for Jones.

Smith is listed as 6'8" 180lbs. Ranked #26 Overall

Smith runs the floor on the break extremely well and is a major factor on the glass especially offensively. He is a tip dunk, tip in threat or he simply keeps the ball alive. Smith is an excellent slasher and defensively can defend both wings and some smaller power forwards....

Jones is listed as 6'6" 180 lbs. Ranked #27 Overall.

Jones is a gifted physical prospect with good size, tremendous length, and athleticism. His ability to play above the rim is almost unmatched in the open floor as he excels at running lanes and catching lobs. He's as smooth as he is explosive, able to virtual glide through and above ...

Again neither are what our 15-17 roster needs, which are shooters. We dont need another stanley or marcus johnson. We need another j lamb or niels giffey.