Perry Jones III has more talent the all of the players in this 2012 draft class, but his inconsistent play and disappearing in big games have scared NBA GM’s and possibly dropped him out of the Lottery.
5. Perry Jones III 6-11 233lbs Baylor Sophomore PF/SF
2011-12 stats: 30.7 mpg, 13.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 50%fg, 70% ft
Projection: Late Lottery to mid 1st round
Strengths: I have had Perry Jones III rated as one of my top NBA Draft prospects since during his freshman year at Baylor. If you’ve watched him play, and I’ve watched damn near every game’s he played in college, there might not be a more talented or complete basketball player in this draft. There isn’t many 6-11 ball players with his skills, athleticism, and basketball IQ, anywhere in the world. Jones can score with his back to the basket, face up out to 20 feet and hit the jump shot consistently, and put the ball on the floor and take it to the basket, finishing or drop it off to a teammate for a bucket.When he wants to, he can dominate the glass on both ends of the floor and shut down his opposition offensively. For stretches against Kentucky in the Elite Eight game, Jones was the best player on the floor.
Weaknesses: Jones is an enigma, he was the most talented player in the country in my opinion, and he flat out disappeared at times. Against Missouri, who had not one player who could check Jones at all, he averaged 6 ppg, and 5 rpg in those two contests. In two games against Kansas, he average 11.5 ppg and 4 rpg. These were four of the biggest games of the season and he was basically a no show. This right here is the lone reason why Perry Jones III most likely won’t be a top 5-10 pick and might even drop out of the lottery.
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