Carl Jones

The diminutive guard has been one of the fastest rising players in the country this spring, going from mid-major prospect to having powerhouses such as Ohio State and Kentucky inquire about his services. His ability to put points on the board at King James was unparalleled by any other guard in the field, as shown by his 39 and 34 point performances with Thad Matta on hand in the “Sweet 16” and “Elite 8” rounds of competition. Despite only weighing 155 pounds, Jones aggressively took the ball at athletic seven footer Dashonte Riley, finishing near the basket through a series of cradle moves and scoop shots over his more physically blessed opponents. What was even more impressive was his efficient play and ability to score his points within the flow of the offense, rarely taking any questionable shots in the games we took in over the weekend.

Obviously his physical deficiencies will hold him back in the long run from being an elite prospect, at only 5’11 and not exceptionally long. Jones will definitely need to improve on his defense by the time he reaches the collegiate level because he struggles containing the penetration of guards currently at the high school level. Regardless of his weaknesses though, this slender point guard helped himself just as much as anyone at King James with his performance and has solidified himself as a legitimate high major playmaker.