The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

TEXAS Longhorns sophomore Kai Jones has once again been listed as a highly coveted prospect for the 2021 NBA Draft by Sports Illustrated.

Jones, who was listed at No.30 on last year’s list, has improved five spots to No. 25 on the latest edition of what is expected to be one of the most talented draft classes in recent memory. Jones has increased his stock with career high numbers across the board.

The 19-year-old, 6’ 11” 220-pound forward is averaging 9.7 points and 4.8 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per game while shooting 81 percent from the field and 67 percent from three-point range.

He finished with eight points, four rebounds and two blocked shots in the Longhorns’ 74-53 win over Texas State Wednesday night. The No.13 ranked Longhorns are 5-1 on the season and face the No.2 ranked Baylor Bears on December 13.

“A late-blooming Bahamian native who’s quietly been on the NBA radar for a couple years, Jones finally looks to be putting things together, using his length to impact gameflow and showing off an improved-looking jumper. Though his offence remains dependent on others feeding him the ball, he’s been more active than ever in his minutes off the bench, showcasing his ability to defend, space the floor, catch lobs and provide energy,” Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo said. “Jones is still a work in progress overall, and has to keep adding strength to hold up at the five, but bigs with his natural mobility, length and inside-out skill are hard to come by, and he can work his way more firmly into the first round picture if he keeps this up, sporadic minutes be damned.”

Jones has three double-digit scoring efforts off the bench this season, already surpassing his total from his freshman season when he reached that mark just twice.

In the Camping World Maui Invitational Championship, Jones finished with 12 points on 4-5 shooting from the field and tied a career high with 8 rebounds for the second time this season in the Longhorns 69-67 win over the North Carolina Tar Heels in the tournament finale.