KJ Jones II: Prospect Overview and Scouting Report
Nic Rioja breaks down KJ Jones II's game and what may make him a viable NBA target. Averaged 26.2 PTS and was the NABC Division II Player of the Year.
KJ Jones II is one of the most dynamic scorers in this draft. Originally flying under the radar out of high school, Jones elected to go the Division II route. This choice proved fruitful, as Jones wrapped up a storied career at Emmanuel University (Ga.), finishing as a 3x DII All-American and the DII National Player of the Year as a senior.
The nuance within Jones’ game popped on film. Jones has a quick first step, and he often used it to get by his defender, then subtly lean in for a floater with the defender on his shoulder for a foul. Jones drives physical and with a purpose, possessing a great understanding of the defender’s body positioning to score/draw fouls. Countless teams he was able to get his defender off his feet, and pivot for an easy two points. Another encouraging area in Jones’ game is the balance in scoring variety, getting buckets via transition, cuts, off screens, in isolation, etc. This versatility allows him to be a potential asset in any lineup, whether he is the primary option or a secondary piece. Jones playmaking is an x-factor in his potential pro success. He showed the capacity to be a willing passer and make quick reads, but will need to do this more consistently to be a greater offensive threat. The speed of the game will also be much faster as he moves to the next level. Jones will have to sharpen his processor to maximize his effectiveness as a ball-handler/distributor.
Defensively, Jones used his length and athleticism to disrupt ball handlers at the point of attack. He does a great job of reading the play as it develops, beating the offense to its spot and knifing through for steals. Competition is again the biggest question, as Jones will face opponents with much deeper offensive skillsets and more difficult offensive sets as a professional.
Jones was a dominant college player. The question now is how much of his college skillset is projectable to the next level. We have seen several non-D1 prospects fall under the radar in recent years who find their way in the NBA because of their defense and shooting ability. A similar path is possible for KJ if he is able to transfer these skills to a higher level of play.
Below are similar physical profiles to Jones II.
Jones II’s 2023-2024 shot cart with comparisons to NCAA averages (in gray). We have attached takeaways from the chart below. Statistics powered by Synergy Sports.
Jones II’s analytical ranks on both offense and defense from 2023-2024 below.
Pros and cons to Jones II’s game:
The offensive and defensive outlook for Jones II at the next level.