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NBA Mock Draft 2016: Impact of the NCAA Tournament

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 1, 2016; Houston , TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during practice day prior to the 2016 NCAA Men
Apr 1, 2016; Houston , TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during practice day prior to the 2016 NCAA Men /
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Feb 23, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores center Damian Jones (30) shoots over Florida Gators forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) as Commodores guard Wade Baldwin IV (4) loos on during the first half of a basketball game at the Stephen C. O
Feb 23, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores center Damian Jones (30) shoots over Florida Gators forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) as Commodores guard Wade Baldwin IV (4) loos on during the first half of a basketball game at the Stephen C. O /

24. Damian Jones, Vanderbilt Commodores

Position: Center

Age: 20 (6/30/1995)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0″, 245 pounds, 7’2″

Slash Line: .590/.000/.536

Season Averages: 26.2 MPG, 13.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.2 ORPG, 1.2 APG, 1.6 BPG

Key Strengths

  • Size. A 7’0″ center. Can impact a game with his mere presence.
  • Defensive potential. Is already a solid shot-blocker. Moves well and has great size.
  • Offensive foundation. Jump hook is solid. Passes well out of the post.
  • Offensive rebounding. Can get the boards whenever he wants to.

Key Weaknesses

  • Liability at the free throw line.
  • Motor has been questioned on multiple occasions.
  • Defensive rebounding.
  • Upside is more on paper than on the court.

Analysis

If not Skal Labissiere, then it’s Damian Jones who best compares to Myles Turner. Jones, like Turner, has all of the physical tools and basic skills to be a star at the next level, but routinely underwhelms when the lights are shining bright.

Jones has the genuine potential to be a lottery pick if he tests well at the NBA Draft Scouting Combine, but the fear is rational and existent about his future.

The good with Jones is that he’s a quality shot-blocker and unpolished, but solid post player with the size to succeed at 7’0″ with a 7’2″ wingspan. The bad news is that he fouls too often, is dreadful at the free throw line, and wavers in his effort on the court.

Jones’ upside is too immense to entirely write him off, but he shouldn’t be lower than No. 20. He shouldn’t be, but he’s made that bed.

Next: 3-and-D Versatility

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