Texas Basketball: Kai Jones looking like a worthy lottery pick
On the night of the 2021 NBA Draft, it seems like the former breakthrough sophomore Texas basketball power forward Kai Jones would be more than a worthy lottery pick. But now roughly halfway through the draft lottery, it appears that he might go without getting picked up in the draft lottery.
Jones really broke through in a big way during his sophomore campaign under former head coach Shaka Smart with the Longhorns. The physical tools and modern skillset that Jones brings to the table shows he’s more than capable of becoming a quality starter at the four at the next level.
During his sophomore campaign at Texas, Jones averaged 8.8 points per game, 4.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.9 blocks. And he shot 58.0 percent from the field, 38.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 68.9 percent from the free-throw line.
Jones was also the Big 12’s Most Improved Player of the Year last season, showing just how much he’s grown since his inconsistent but potent true freshman campaign. The 6-foot-11 and 220-pound frame combined with the rim-protecting and deep shooting ability that Jones brings to the table should really appeal to NBA scouts.
Where will former Texas basketball big man Kai Jones fall off the board?
If nothing else, Jones should definitely be the first Longhorns big man off the board in a class loaded with them. Jones is one of three uber-talented and potent big men out of the Texas men’s hoops program in this draft class. The other two are the former elite five-star recruit and freshman power forward Greg Brown and senior standout center Jericho Sims.
There was a point in time where Brown looked like a sure-fire first-round draft pick (with a ceiling in the lottery). But a very inconsistent end to his freshman season under Smart didn’t do anything to help Brown’s draft stock.
The lowest we should see Jones slip in this draft is the early-to-mid 20s in the first round. In the off chance that he does slip lower down the draft board on this night, there is going to be some team in the late first or early second round that gets one of the biggest steals of this draft.
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There are four players able to get drafted this year among the former Longhorns in this class. The three bigs are included in the mix along with the former versatile senior standout guard Matt Coleman.