NBA Comparison: Derrick Jones

Strengths: 6’8 left-handed power forward … Good length with a 7’0 wingspan … Highly active and explosive athlete. Reliable finisher in transition and in the half-court, catching dump-offs without having to gather. Good second jump. Throws down dunks and finishes with either hand … Shoots from midrange and shows a fadeaway in the post … Effective cutter off the ball … Averaged 18.6 points per game on 51.5% FG% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 … Flashes some ball-handling. Aggressive slasher and draws fouls at a good rate. Shot 5.3 free throws per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 … Solid passing ability and capable of hitting open shooters cross-court … Solid rebounder on both ends. Reads opportunities for tip-slams. Averaged 6.1 (2.1 offensive) rebounds per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 … Consistent effort, intensity, and versatility as a defender. Moves his feet well in a stance when guarding the perimeter and defends the post well. Averaged a 5^th best 1.3 blocks per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 … Plays with consistent aggression, energy, and tenacity …

Weaknesses: Needs to continue to add strength, especially as much as he likes contact and plays in the paint … Can expand his half-court offensive game and scoring technique when he doesn’t dunk. Doesn’t have much of a post-game and can struggle scoring in traffic. Needs to add consistency to his fadeaway. Limited scoring range and shot doesn’t get ideal or full rotation. Shot 12.5 3PT% on 3.4 3PT attempts per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 … Poor free throw shooter. Shot 56.8% FG% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 … Reliant on triple-threat to get by his defender can tighten up as a ball-handler … Intrigues more as a wing prospect but has a way to go in developing his ball skills and approach …

Outlook: Syracuse commit … Transferred to IMG Academy for his senior year …

Evan Tomes 11/18/24

Notes: Measured 6′ 6.5” barefoot, 181 lbs, and a 7′ 0.0” wingspan at the 2023 Nike Elite 100 …