Fresh off their best Big East finish in school history, South Florida appears set to lose their best player to the NBA. According to Fanhouse's Brett McMurphy, Bulls junior guard Dominique Jones posted on his Facebook account that "it's time to make money now."
The 6'4'' Jones was the second leading scorer in the Big East this season, posting 21.4 points per game. The slashing Jones led the Bulls to a 9-9 conference record, including a road win over Georgetown. Jones figures to be a combo-guard (read: undersized shooting guard) in the pros, and whether he'll crack the first-round will likely depend on how performs in pre-draft workouts and tests at the NBA combine. ESPN's Chad Ford currently lists Jones as the 54th-best prospect in the 2010 draft.
Even if Jones does declare, he could conceivably return to South Florida as long as he does not sign with an agent and decides he doesn't like the feedback he gets from NBA scouts. With Jones, South Florida would likely be picked to finish in the top half of the Big East and have a good shot at making the NCAA tournament.
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South Florida's Dominique Jones Will Stay In NBA Draft
In an expected move, South Florida junior guard Dominique Jones has decided to remain in the upcoming NBA Draft, according to Fox Sport's Jeff Goodman.
While Jones may not be a household names, toiling in relative obscurity at South Florida, he was the second-leading scorer in the Big East this past season, averaging 21.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 rebounds for the Bulls. Indeed, Jones' herculean efforts -- he dropped 47 points on Providence in league play -- propelled South Florida to the NCAA bubble, which was a substantial step up for a program accustomed to the basement of the Big East standings.
The 6'4'', 205-pound Jones projects as a combo guard in the pros, with his NBA-ready body, ease at getting to the paint, and solid defense making him a likely late first/early second round pick at this point. Draft Express ranks Jones as the 34th-best prospect in this year's class with teams yet to begin working prospects out.
May 07 5:17p by Matt O'Brien - 0 comments