One prominent Duke player has decided to stay in college for at least one more season. Point guard Tre Jones is returning for his sophomore season, according to a tweet from the school’s media relations department that was relayed by Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports (Twitter link).
The 6’2” Jones averaged 9.8 PPG and 5.3 APG over 34.2 MPG in his freshman campaign. He posted a season-high 22 points and eight assists against Virginia Tech in the Sweet 16.
Jones was considered a borderline first-rounder. He was ranked No. 29 overall by ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony. Jones’ feel for the game, defensive prowess and ability to make plays in the lane made a strong impression on scouts, according to ESPN’s pre-draft analysis.
The Blue Devils are still expected to lose three projected lottery picks, led by top-rated Zion Williamson. Shooting guard R.J. Barrett is ranked No. 3 and Cam Reddish sits at No. 7 on Givony’s Top 100 list.
Jones looks like a career backup like his brother Tyus, and did not shine in the tourney. That being the case, why not enjoy another year at Duke as their leader!
Tyus was spoken of a few days ago on TV, in a surprising way, as about to get above $10MM– but not as a starter.
The way he was weeping after that loss… He might not be ready yet. Might need some toughening up.
It’s not about toughness. Right now he’s a Top-60 pick. Stay a year, maybe he gets himself back into the fringe lottery where he was projected on several mocks before the season began.
Right move for him. He had no chance to audition as a potential starting NBA PG playing with the group he did last year. Duke didn’t land a top PG in this class (the few left aren’t considering them), or go for a plan B guy either (yet anyway), so this may have been in the works for awhile.
Dude can’t shoot. He had to stay in school and work on that. Otherwise, as someone mentioned, good player, but career backup…
This is the smart move for him. If he develops a decent jumpshot he could find himself in the lottery next year. Barring a huge and unexpected upswing in his development he probably won’t be anything more than a fringe starter/career backup.
Agreed he definitely needs to improve his scoring ability. If he ends up a fringe starter or backup in the NBA that’s certainly better than my job.
Truth be told Reddish needs to come back another year also. He never found his way in the college game. It sure won’t be any easier for him in the NBA. I understand that he will be a high pick and he’s leaving for the money. I think the better basketball move for him is to come back and play another year in college even though we know it’s not going to happen.