The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Kai Jones is set to take the next step on his basketball journey and attempt to fulfil a lifelong dream - the National Basketball Association.

The Texas Longhorns sophomore forward officially announced last night that he will forego his college eligibility and declare for the 2021 NBA Draft.

“It was truly an honour to represent the Texas Longhorns for the past two seasons and suit up with my brothers night in and night out. I want to thank coach [Shaka] Smart, the staff, and my teammates for pushing me and helping me to grow on and off the court.

“I feel like I’ve improved as a player, a teammate, as a person, and as a Longhorn. My time here has set me up to be successful as I take the next steps in my career,” Jones posted to social media. “Since I can remember, having the chance to play in the National Basketball Association has been my dream. Growing up in The Bahamas, not many of my peers have had the opportunity that I have in front of me now, the ability to achieve those dreams. And for that, I want to thank my family, especially my mom and dad, for providing me the opportunity to be in the position I am in today. My story is just beginning, but I’ve already come so far and my journey to this point truly has prepared me for this moment.”

The NBA Draft is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18.

In his sophomore season, the 6’11” Jones averaged 8.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He shot 57 percent from the field and 39 percent from three point range. His standout season was recognised by the Big 12. He was named the conference’s Sixth Man of the Year and became the first Texas Longhorns player in programme history to earn the award.

Jones is tied for second on the team in blocks (19), tied for third in rebounding (4.8 rebounds per game), fourth in steals (22), and sixth in scoring (8.5 points per game) while averaging 22.7 minutes per game. He has hit 56.5-percent from the field (70-124), including a 36.7-percent mark (11-30) from three-point range, and has reached double figures in scoring 10 times in his first 23 games.

His season was highlighted in a January 26 game against the Oklahoma Sooners when he posted his first NCAA double double with 15 points and a career high 10 rebounds.

His numbers increased across the board from his freshman year when he averaged 3.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. As a freshman he was named to the 2019-20 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team.

The Longhorns finished the regular season 17-7, 11-6 in conference play and won their first BIG 12 championship in programme history.

Throughout the season Jones has been projected as a highly coveted prospect for the 2021 NBA Draft by several mainstream American publications.

For the projected class of 2021 rankings, ESPN lists Jones at No.16, Sports Illustrated at No.22, Yahoo! Sports at No.23 and NBAdraft.net has him at No.24.

Jones, entered Texas out of Brewster Academy as one of the top 50 Prep Basketball recruits in America. He was listed at No. 49 in the final ranking of the ESPN Top 100 for the Class of 2019 following his standout season.

A consensus four-star recruit, Jones earned a scout grade of 88 overall and was ranked No.13 among all centers, No.12 in his region and No.1 in the state of New Hampshire.

A 4.0 student in the classroom, Jones transferred to Brewster Academy in Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire after spending the previous season at Orlando Christian Prep in Orlando, Florida. In his lone season with the Warriors in Orlando, Florida, the team finished the season at 21-9 and claimed the Class 3A boys basketball state championship.

Jones was invited to the NBA’s Global Camp in Treviso, Italy, and made an impression on some of the most notable names in the industry. He was also invited to the first FIBA Americas Basketball Without Borders Camp hosted in The Bahamas.