Terrence Jones Explodes Onto The Scene

Every year, at the beginning of the basketball season there's a player who busts onto the national scene and into the spotlight.  This year that player is Terrence Jones, the 6,9 freshman forward from Kentucky.  Jones has simply dominated in his first few weeks of college ball and has even taken on a leadership role for the young wildcats.  He is averaging 21 points, 10 rebounds and is shooting better than 46% from three point range.  Physically he reminds me a bit of Amare Stoudemire but with a far superior offensive game.

Jones is a versatile forward who, at 6,9 can stretch the defense out to three point range and use his foot speed to take opposing power forwards off the dribble. Jones is a load for any defense to handle.  He gets to the rim or to the foul line with ease and he also has a solid post up game and is explosive off the low block.  There's not much on the basketball court that Jones can't do.  He rebounds at a high level and is an excellent weak side shot blocker and defender.

The season is young and there will certainly be some ups and downs for Jones and for his young Kentucky squad but the potential is huge.  We already knew that Jones was an elite athlete.  No we are finding out that he is an elite basketball player as well.  He currently ranks as the projected #1 overall pick in the June 2011 NBA Draft, ahead of the more highly touted Harrison Barnes.