[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2025 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Kam Jones
Frame: 6’5″,  200 lbs
Position: Guard
School: Marquette Golden Eagles
2024 Draft Age: 23
Stats via bartttorvik.com and sports-reference.com 

Offense 

Jones has been thrust into a new role as the team’s primary initiator, ball handler and unquestioned leader in his senior season. In previous seasons, he was the secondary creator behind now-New York Knicks point guard Tyler Kolek. Jones was a constant floor spacer, coming off pin-downs and moving without the basketball. He led the team with 17.2 points per game through the 2023-24 season, shooting 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three, and 72 percent from the line. 

Entered the 2024 preseason on the All-Big East First Team, Jones’ most lethal and translatable skill as a prospect is his outside shooting. A career 39 percent shooter beyond the arc, Jones has NBA range, a silky-smooth lefty stroke, and unwavering confidence. He can spot up and shoot off dribble and movement (currently at a career-best 41.2 percent from three).

As a driver, Jones has athletic limitations. He’s not a vertical threat at the rim and won’t win with the body contortion and explosivity seen in many other top-guard prospects. Jones has had only three dunks in two seasons as a full-time starter. Despite that, he’s one of the most efficient rim finishers in college basketball. In the last two seasons, Jones shot an impressive 68 percent on shots at the rim. His touch when going left is elite, and he can finish with a crafty, varied layup package. 

Only six Big East players got to the rim as much as Jones did last season. Of them, the only two more efficient than him on such shots were 7’0 “+ big men Ryan Kalkbrenner and Donovan Clingan. Jones is shooting career-bests at 75.7 percent at the rim and 57 percent from the field this year.

Through 10 games this season, Jones has grown as a playmaker, averaging 6.4 assists per game with only 1.5 turnovers. Though he’s defended very aggressively as the team’s lead scoring option, he has been able to pick apart defenses with his passing while also getting his own (20.1 points per game). He isn’t likely to start his NBA career as a high-usage ball handler, but his newfound comfort as a facilitator is a bonus to his offensive profile.

Defense

Jones’ defense was a real weakness last season. He’s improved to start this season, showing some ability to move his feet and mirror on the perimeter. He has sufficient length and strength as a guard to withstand some drives. He also shows consistent energy and effort.

As a team and help defender, Jones’ rotations and awareness are very inconsistent. Off-ball defense is the most glaring area for improvement in his overall game. 

Looking Ahead

Jones projects to be a mid-to-late first-round pick. Despite his elite offensive production (he is one of the best players in the country), his age and athleticism raise questions about his ceiling as a prospect. 

The most significant determinants of his ceiling are his rim finishing and playmaking, which will be much more challenging with his size, speed, and athleticism in the NBA. Jones’ outcomes range from microwave bench scorer to starter-quality lead guard. Regardless of the destination, He projects to be a fiercely competitive, confident knockdown shooter at the next level. 

Check out the 2024 report on Jones from Braden Beach