NCAA UNDERGROUND: take note for your team in Europe... Deon Jones - MONMOUTH

WHERE HE PLAYS – he’s a 4-3, depending what team’s needs are. He is probably better option at playing 4 and then space out and create from perimeter. Because he can create off the dribble he can help as a wing player, but would be more effective as a PF.

PHYSICAL SKILLS – average athlete; strong body; decent speed; not great leaping ability in traffic, lacks explosiveness off the floor and explosiveness of the first step, decent lateral speed

WHERE HE RECEIVES THE BALL AND HOW HE FINISHES – likes to create from perimeter and from elbows. Jones prefers to create off the dribble and shoot mid range pullups or get in the paint and finish around the basket. He has good mid-range pull up jumper – Jones is good at catching the ball at the elbow and then create from ISO situation – uses his strong body, as well as ability to face up and attack of the dribble. Jones can create his own shot – not overly creative with the ball, but good at facing up, taking 1-2 dribbles and stopping for pull up or getting in the paint (usually straight line drives). Will look to run and score in transition. NEGATIVES: lacks explosiveness and leaping ability in traffic, which reflects on his ability to finish around the rim over longer/more athletic defensive players. Not great 3pt shooter – he is more than capable shooter from behind the arc from spot up situations, but this is not his strength since he prefers to put the ball on the floor and get in the mid range where he feels more comfortable – has to be more comfortable at shooting 3s since this could be a good addition to his offensive game; No low post presence; has to be more aggressive offensive rebounder.


WHERE AND HOW HE DEFEND – good defender, and can guard players off the dribble; has decent lateral speed, slides and move his feet well, doesn’t give up on defensive plays and can keep perimeter players in front. Can defend effectively positions 2-3-4

HOW HE PLAYS PICK AND ROLL – offense & defense – since Monmouth plays a lot with 4 players out on perimeter, and Jones being both 3 and 4 (depending off situation), he could use ball screens as well as set ball screens. He feels more comfortable setting a pick and pop out after, looking to catch the ball and create off of 1-2 dribbles. Also in some situations he would catch the ball at the elbow and big man would come up and set a ball screen (rub screen), so he can take his man all the way to the basket and score from the paint. As mentioned he is not overly creative with the ball and with this being said, he is not really a ball handler player who can play in ball screens all the time, but since he uses his strong body well and can put the ball on the floor and go to the basket, he could be usable in ball screen situations (we believe he is more effective as a PF). Defensively he can switch ball screens and be a good on ball defender.

RIGHT FIT FOR HIM – team that plays 4 around 1, so he can space out the floor, put the ball on the floor and get in the paint.

(SCOUTING BY NIKOLA KNEZEVIC)

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