Duke point guard Tyus Jones says the NBA decisions of his fellow freshmen Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow will impact his own impending decision.
“It will impact it,” Jones, the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four told Laura Keeley of the News-Observer.
The 6-foot-1 Jones came to Duke as a package deal with the 6-11 Okafor and two worked hard to get Winslow to join them, which he ultimately did.
Jones added: “But at the same time, each of us, myself, Justise and Jah, you have to make what is best for yourself because it is your future. Obviously we’re going to look at each other and what each other decides to do, but at the same time, they have to make the right decisions for themselves, and I have to make my decision”
DraftExpress.com projects Okafor at No. 2, Winslow at No. 5 and Jones at No. 21.
Yet as we wrote here, Jones’ stock may never be higher considering he was the MOP of an NCAA championship team and went for 23 points and 5 rebounds Monday night when Duke beat Wisconsin.
“Not in Top 15,” one NBA scout told SNY.tv’s Josh Newman of Jones. “If any team after that needs a backup point guard, he would be a great backup for the Spurs or Clippers.”
He added of Jones: “He showed he can play at a high level under pressure. His stock will never be higher. If he comes back he risks injury and people dissecting his weaknesses.”
Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com added that Jones’ draft position could rise or fall depending on who else declares for the draft.
“I think because there are a lot of unknowns regarding who might enter,” Givony told USA Today. “A bunch of these guys can move him up or down still.”
If Jones, who was brilliant in the title game, leaves, Duke will be without a pure point guard next season unless they add a transfer.
Photo: USA Today Sports
