NBA Draft Player Profile: Colby Jones

Jun 14, 2023, 8:00 AM

Colby Jones #3 of the Xavier Musketeers brings the ball up court against the Pittsburgh Panthers in...

Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

With the 2023 NBA Draft is about 10 days away, it’s time to look at some prospects that will be hearing their names called at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on June 22nd.

The Sacramento have the 24th overall pick this time around, thanks to a remarkable 2022 season that saw the Kings make the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. After drafting All-Rookie First Team forward Keegan Murray (fourth pick) last summer, Sacramento will look to build off a revitalized unit by hitting on this year’s selection as well.

But what type of player does the Kings need to add to a team that just enjoyed its first NBA Playoff experience in nearly 20 years?

Over the next week or so, Sactown Sports 1140 will provide you with profiles and players expected to be on the board near the Kings’ 24th pick, and some that the team should consider trading up for next Thursday.

So without further ado, let’s dig into some film.

Colby Jones | SG/SF | Xavier

Age: 21

Height: 6’5″

Weight: 199

2022-23 stats: 15 points, 4.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 50.9% FG, 37.8% 3PT, 65.3% FT

ESPN Mock Draft: 29th

Coming off big performances in March Madness, Xavier’s Colby Jones could see his name called as high as 15th overall this month. His passing instincts and feel for the game make him a quality first-round selection for perspective teams.

Jones makes for an easy fit in most rotations with an unselfish, versatile style of play that could make him an immediate value add for teams off the bench. He’s in play for teams all over the back part of the first round.

ESPN’s NBA Draft Insider Jonathan Givony on Colby Jones – June 2023

While his isolation offense and free throws need to improved, the junior combo wing could play vital rotation minutes as a rookie.

How would Jones fit with the Kings?

Jones is the do-it-all role player that Sacramento and the rest of the league covet.

His willingness as a defender will be key to finding a role at the next level, using good fundamentals to force his opponent into a tough jumper. He has good lateral movement and is surprising strong, given his listed weight of 199 pounds. Able to cover three different positions, defensive versatility will make Jones valuable in the NBA.

Could Colby Jones be one of the most underrated prospects in the 2023 NBA Draft? 👀 @kovajoness

▫️15 PTS 5.7 REB 4.4 AST
▫️50.9 FG% 37.8 3PT% 65.3 FT% (36 games for @XavierMBB)

▫️6’4.5 Without Shoes, 6’8 Wingspan

In a redraft, Jones could end up going way higher than… pic.twitter.com/ZvNv7YTBgL

— No Ceilings (@NoCeilingsNBA) June 9, 2023

The Xavier alum also excels on offense as a secondary shot creator. Thriving off DHOs and ball screens, Jones surveys the court with patience, before finding the open shooter in the corner or on the wing.

He also possesses a floater game that makes him a threat from the midrange. Using soft touch, Jones will get a running shot off in the blink of an eye, hitting the glass and rim before dropping in. He also has good hesitation moves, freezing the defender as he attacks the cup for an easy layup.

While concerns are limited, the 21-year-old needs to work on having a consistent pull-up jumper at the next level. He also needs to improve his three ball, only taking 3.3 attempts per game last season. That and his free throws (sub-70% in college) will be glaring areas of caution for perspective teams.

Nevertheless, his intangibles make him a vital rotation piece for an NBA roster, he just won’t be much more than that in his career.

Will the Kings be adding another high I.Q. prospect to their lineup? We’ll find out on June 22nd.

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