https://x.com/draftexpress/status/1915867569296490698?s=61&t=6XPB8f4sAKmJIzxgMcsCjw
Thanks for sharing - great interview.
Excited for what comes next for Kam. Hopefully he can sneak into the 1st round but if not he'll be a 2nd round gem for some team.
Great interview, thanks for posting.
His shot looked great, with a very repeatable form and nice consistent arc.
Looking forward to seeing Kam play in the NBA. He'll always be a fave!
Tomorrow I've got my first ever pickleball singles tournament. It's a diff game and I may be in trouble. Will carry Kam's favorite quote via Shaka via Shaka's wife with me. "IN THE ABSENCE OF CONFIDENCE, FIGHT!!!"
Lucky for Kam there was no Josh Clark there to completely destroy his mid range and lay up attempts.
Quote from: Jay Bee on April 25, 2025, 05:41:26 PMTomorrow I've got my first ever pickleball singles tournament. It's a diff game and I may be in trouble. Will carry Kam's favorite quote via Shaka via Shaka's wife with me. "IN THE ABSENCE OF CONFIDENCE, FIGHT!!!"
Stay strong
Quote from: tower912 on April 26, 2025, 06:40:38 AMLucky for Kam there was no Josh Clark there to completely destroy his mid range and lay up attempts.
Clark is a bust we've been told.
If I read it on Scoop, it has to be true.
Quote from: Spotcheck Billy on April 26, 2025, 06:30:45 PMStay strong
Lost my first three matches, but fought and learned. Wound up medaling which was the goal. GROWTH was off the charts. Thank you to the Smart Family.
Question: From the interview, it sounds like Kam is currently based in NYC. How does that work with his enrollment at MU? Has he simply dropped out, with less than a semester to graduation? Does the Athletic Department support him to continue his courses this spring in order to graduate? Of course, I'm presuming he's on track to graduate, and I don't know if that's the case.
I totally get why and that his priority right now should be preparing for the draft, and so my questions are about the 'logistics' of academic work, and if he is or chooses to keep up with it.
Quote from: mug644 on April 27, 2025, 06:16:37 AMQuestion: From the interview, it sounds like Kam is currently based in NYC. How does that work with his enrollment at MU? Has he simply dropped out, with less than a semester to graduation? Does the Athletic Department support him to continue his courses this spring in order to graduate? Of course, I'm presuming he's on track to graduate, and I don't know if that's the case.
I totally get why and that his priority right now should be preparing for the draft, and so my questions are about the 'logistics' of academic work, and if he is or chooses to keep up with it.
Virtual.
Quote from: mug644 on April 27, 2025, 06:16:37 AMQuestion: From the interview, it sounds like Kam is currently based in NYC. How does that work with his enrollment at MU? Has he simply dropped out, with less than a semester to graduation? Does the Athletic Department support him to continue his courses this spring in order to graduate? Of course, I'm presuming he's on track to graduate, and I don't know if that's the case.
I totally get why and that his priority right now should be preparing for the draft, and so my questions are about the 'logistics' of academic work, and if he is or chooses to keep up with it.
With summer courses every year it's possible he's already finished his coursework.
Quote from: #UnleashSean on April 27, 2025, 07:21:15 AMWith summer courses every year it's possible he's already finished his coursework.
No. He played during the spring semester. He wasn't not enrolled in classes, bruh
#APRnightmare
Quote from: tower912 on April 26, 2025, 06:42:05 PMIf I read it on Scoop, it has to be true.
Which is why Sean is transferring.
Kam invited to the combine as expected
https://x.com/draftexpress/status/1918436702894596418?s=61&t=6XPB8f4sAKmJIzxgMcsCjw
NBADRAFT.NET Today has Kam Jones going #42 to Sacramento*
Quote from: Spotcheck Billy on April 26, 2025, 06:30:45 PMStay strong
Quote from: Jay Bee on April 25, 2025, 05:41:26 PMTomorrow I've got my first ever pickleball singles tournament. It's a diff game and I may be in trouble. Will carry Kam's favorite quote via Shaka via Shaka's wife with me. "IN THE ABSENCE OF CONFIDENCE, FIGHT!!!"
Singles Pickleball is more like tennis. Play more baseline and the player who moves their opponent has the advantage. Only charge the net when you have a sure put away shot.
Quote from: Class71 on May 09, 2025, 06:23:26 PMSingles Pickleball is more like tennis. Play more baseline and the player who moves their opponent has the advantage. Only charge the net when you have a sure put away shot.
Thanks for telling me NOW! lol
It was another humbling experience. First game I got rocked. Learned a TON during the tourney and somehow cane away with a medal (bronze). Very fun and I hope to play more singles. I think I can get fairly good, especially if I'm in 50+ divisions.
Nobody cared about pickleball in your look at me pickleball thread. Certainly nobody cares about pickleball in the Kam Jones update thread.
Quote from: Class71 on May 09, 2025, 06:23:26 PMSingles Pickleball is more like tennis. Play more baseline and the player who moves their opponent has the advantage. Only charge the net when you have a sure put away shot.
Pickleball is like tennis the same way half court basketball with 8 foot rims is like basketball.
It is nothing like it.
Quote from: wadesworld on May 09, 2025, 08:21:57 PMNobody cared about pickleball in your look at me pickleball thread. Certainly nobody cares about pickleball in the Kam Jones update thread.
You're a cuck.
Quote from: Class71 on May 09, 2025, 06:23:26 PMSingles Pickleball is more like tennis. Play more baseline and the player who moves their opponent has the advantage. Only charge the net when you have a sure put away shot.
Except 1/50th of the cardio
Quote from: Shaka Shart on May 11, 2025, 05:45:31 PMExcept 1/50th of the cardio
Patently false.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/toddboss/2024/07/22/the-workout-value-of-pickleball-compared-to-other-racquet-sports/
(subtle redirect)
Hollinger has Kam #10 in his top prospects under "Time to get Weird" category. Discouraged by his "eye test in warm-ups" which seems a bit odd.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6344540/2025/05/12/nba-draft-2025-prospects-cooper-flagg-dylan-harper/
Quote from: Spaniel with a Short Tail on May 12, 2025, 07:57:00 AM(subtle redirect)
Hollinger has Kam #10 in his top prospects under "Time to get Weird" category. Discouraged by his "eye test in warm-ups" which seems a bit odd.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6344540/2025/05/12/nba-draft-2025-prospects-cooper-flagg-dylan-harper/
Just to provide a little more context ...
Hollinger was over-the-top praising just about every facet of Kam's game and says he sees Kam as a first-round talent. But he ended his report with this paragraph:
I'd be even more bullish on Jones were it not for his questionable shooting. He slumped to 31.1 percent from 3 this year and made just 67.1 percent from the line in his four-year career. The eye test in warm-ups when I saw Marquette was similarly discouraging. He did make 40.6 percent from 3 a year earlier playing next to the Knicks' Tyler Kolek and had to take tougher 3s off the dribble this season, but players of his size need to make 3s off the dribble consistently.Yes, the eye-test part was a little bizarre, but maybe that's really a thing for scouts (which is what Hollinger used to be)? Otherwise, everything in that paragraph should ring true to those of us who saw every game Kam played the last 4 years.
Quote from: MU82 on May 12, 2025, 10:13:25 AMYes, the eye-test part was a little bizarre, but maybe that's really a thing for scouts (which is what Hollinger used to be)? Otherwise, everything in that paragraph should ring true to those of us who saw every game Kam played the last 4 years.
Hollinger saw him smiling and laughing after he missed a three in warmups.
The death knell to his draft prospects.
So is Hollinger predicting that Kam will go 10th or is this just who he personally likes?
I don't see him going anywhere near that high based on anything I've read.
I'm hoping he sneaks into the first round.
His high-fives were lackluster as well.
Kam was a 1st round pick in early January, and a mid 2nd round pick by the time the Lobos finished us off. Just hoping that he has a long, lucrative career and gives generously to our NIL fund.
Quote from: MuMark on May 12, 2025, 11:43:36 AMSo is Hollinger predicting that Kam will go 10th
Definitely not. Hollinger had a bunch of categories, and Kam was #10 in his "Time To Get Weird" category.
Hollinger did say he thought Kam was a first-round talent. But as you and others have noted, Kam has fallen into the second round of most mock drafts.
Quote from: Jay Bee on May 12, 2025, 06:58:43 AMPatently false.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/toddboss/2024/07/22/the-workout-value-of-pickleball-compared-to-other-racquet-sports/
The difference between 3.5 to 4.5 in tennis is absolutely enormous. The guy using his admittedly much lower tennis ability then only the highest end of that spectrum of pickleball to compare is disingenuous at best.
I barely break a sweat at 4.0 pickleball bruh. Over three times as large a space to cover and much more body to use to generate power!
That is like comparing Kam's stats vs Stonehill and Kam's stats vs Wisconsin.
How is Kam's pickleball game? Maybe we'll find out on the Superbar.
Quote from: MU82 on May 12, 2025, 02:53:31 PMHow is Kam's pickleball game? Maybe we'll find out on the Superbar.
With his length he could basically stop moving all together in doubles.
Updated Yesterday Bleacher Report Has Kam Jones going in the 1ST ROUND
27. Atlanta Hawks (via Lakers): Kam Jones (Marquette, PG/SG)
Quote from: Shaka Shart on May 12, 2025, 02:55:53 PMWith his length he could basically stop moving all together in doubles.
Pawz
I could make you sweat playing pickleball. (Pawz)
Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on May 12, 2025, 03:22:48 PMUpdated Yesterday Bleacher Report Has Kam Jones going in the 1ST ROUND
27. Atlanta Hawks (via Lakers): Kam Jones (Marquette, PG/SG)
Would love this. Might actually make the long trek to a few games
Quote from: Jay Bee on May 12, 2025, 05:50:54 PMPawz
I could make you sweat playing pickleball. (Pawz)
😏😉😏
Quote from: Jay Bee on May 12, 2025, 05:50:54 PMPawz
I could make you sweat playing pickleball. (Pawz)
To reiterate, no one cares.
https://x.com/jonchep/status/1922103579818553390?s=46
Really good measurements for him
Hollinger has Kam #10 overall prospect. Specifically highlighted his role last year as a PG, to put him more as a combo guard and up his value.
Quote from: MUDPT on May 13, 2025, 05:59:55 AMHollinger has Kam #10 overall prospect. Specifically highlighted his role last year as a PG, to put him more as a combo guard and up his value.
He has Collin Murray-Boyles at #10. He has Kam Jones at #34 and Kam is #10 in the "its time to get weird" category.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6344540/2025/05/12/nba-draft-2025-prospects-cooper-flagg-dylan-harper/?source=twitterhq
https://x.com/TheAthletic/status/1921973788847309202
Quote from: MUbiz on May 13, 2025, 09:44:14 AMHe has Collin Murray-Boyles at #10. He has Kam Jones at #34 and Kam is #10 in the "its time to get weird" category.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6344540/2025/05/12/nba-draft-2025-prospects-cooper-flagg-dylan-harper/?source=twitterhq
https://x.com/TheAthletic/status/1921973788847309202
No.
Vecenie had Murray- Boyles at 10 and Kam at 34. Hollinger literally has him as #10 in his top 20ish prospects.
Quote from: MUDPT on May 13, 2025, 11:57:33 AMNo.
Vecenie had Murray- Boyles at 10 and Kam at 34. Hollinger literally has him as #10 in his top 20ish prospects.
Kam is in the "Tier 3 time to get weird" category at #10. Hollinger is smoking something good with that. Not a chance Kam goes #10 overall. I can believe Kam going #34 overall.
Kam just had to pull himself out of the scrimmage with some sort of injury.......i didn't see what it was.
https://x.com/draftexpress/status/1922770707248803854?s=61&t=6XPB8f4sAKmJIzxgMcsCjw
Damn....was hoping for an OMax effort today. Hopefully it's nothing serious.
Quote from: MuMark on May 14, 2025, 04:38:16 PMKam just had to pull himself out of the scrimmage with some sort of injury.......i didn't see what it was.
https://x.com/draftexpress/status/1922770707248803854?s=61&t=6XPB8f4sAKmJIzxgMcsCjw
Fk. Very upsetting.
Hate that Raynaud had a big game. Was hoping he'd fall to late 2nd for the Bucks.
https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/marquette/2025/05/15/marquettes-kam-jones-became-nba-prospect-under-shaka-smart/83620769007/
Quote from: Shaka Shart on May 11, 2025, 05:45:31 PMExcept 1/50th of the cardio
And 3 times the knee injuries.
Quote from: We R Final Four on May 14, 2025, 07:16:25 PMDamn....was hoping for an OMax effort today. Hopefully it's nothing serious.
Kam said it's a very minor hamstring tweak.
DNP?
Hollinger's final notes from the NBA Combine weren't grand for Kam:
I'm a huge fan of Marquette's Kam Jones, but this wasn't his week. He had just seven points in 18 minutes in his one scrimmage before pulling out with a hamstring injury. Measuring at 6-3 1/4 in socks with a meh 6-6 wingspan, and pulling off a meager 24 1/2-inch no-step vertical, Jones had to shine on the court to offset his iffy measurables, and it didn't happen.
Quote from: MU82 on May 20, 2025, 08:46:16 AMHollinger's final notes from the NBA Combine weren't grand for Kam:
I'm a huge fan of Marquette's Kam Jones, but this wasn't his week. He had just seven points in 18 minutes in his one scrimmage before pulling out with a hamstring injury. Measuring at 6-3 1/4 in socks with a meh 6-6 wingspan, and pulling off a meager 24 1/2-inch no-step vertical, Jones had to shine on the court to offset his iffy measurables, and it didn't happen.
Sounds like a guard version of Kyle Anderson.
Kam Jones is the #47 Prospect in ESPN's new draft rankings.
33. Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton | Age:
34. Yanic Konan Niederhauser, C, Penn St |
35. Hansen Yang, C, Qingdao | Age: 19.9
36. Alex Toohey, SF/PF, Sydney | Age: 21
37. Chaz Lanier, SG, Tennessee | Age: 23.4
38. Bogoljub Markovic, PF/C, Mega Superbet |
39. Jamir Watkins, SG/SF, Florida St | Age:
40. Johni Broome, C, Auburn | Age: 22.8
41. Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane | Age: 18.8
42. John Tonje, SF, Wisconsin Age: 24
43. Tyrese Proctor, PG, Duke | Age: 21.1
44. Michael Ruzic, PF/C, Joventut | Age: 18.6
45. Eric Dixon, PF, Villanova | Age: 24.3
46. Sion James, SF, Duke | Age: 22.4
47. Kam Jones, PG/SG, Marquette | Age: 23.2
48. Koby Brea, SG/SF, Kentucky | Age: 22.5
49. Javon Small, PG, West Virginia | Age: 22
50. Vladislav Goldin, C, Michigan | Age: 24
51. Neoklis Avdalas, SE, Peristeri | Age: 19
52. Lachlan Olbrich, PF/C, Illawarra | Age:
53. Viktor Lakhin, C, Clemson | Age: 23.8
54. Mouhamed Faye, C, Reggio Emilia | Age:
55. Kobe Sanders, SG/SF, Nevada | Age: 22.9
56. Dink Pate, SG/SF, Mexico City | Age: 19.2
57. Micah Peavy, SG/SF, Georgetown | Age: 23
58. Hunter Sallis, SG, Wake Forest | Age: 22
59. RJ Luis, SF/PF, St. John's | Age: 22.5
NBADRAFT.NET
AS OF June 1st
Has Kam Jones going #49 to the Cleveland Cavaliers
Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on June 02, 2025, 12:51:11 AMKam Jones is the #47 Prospect in ESPN's new draft rankings.
33. Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton | Age:
34. Yanic Konan Niederhauser, C, Penn St |
35. Hansen Yang, C, Qingdao | Age: 19.9
36. Alex Toohey, SF/PF, Sydney | Age: 21
37. Chaz Lanier, SG, Tennessee | Age: 23.4
38. Bogoljub Markovic, PF/C, Mega Superbet |
39. Jamir Watkins, SG/SF, Florida St | Age:
40. Johni Broome, C, Auburn | Age: 22.8
41. Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane | Age: 18.8
42. John Tonje, SF, Wisconsin Age: 24
43. Tyrese Proctor, PG, Duke | Age: 21.1
44. Michael Ruzic, PF/C, Joventut | Age: 18.6
45. Eric Dixon, PF, Villanova | Age: 24.3
46. Sion James, SF, Duke | Age: 22.4
47. Kam Jones, PG/SG, Marquette | Age: 23.2
48. Koby Brea, SG/SF, Kentucky | Age: 22.5
49. Javon Small, PG, West Virginia | Age: 22
50. Vladislav Goldin, C, Michigan | Age: 24
51. Neoklis Avdalas, SE, Peristeri | Age: 19
52. Lachlan Olbrich, PF/C, Illawarra | Age:
53. Viktor Lakhin, C, Clemson | Age: 23.8
54. Mouhamed Faye, C, Reggio Emilia | Age:
55. Kobe Sanders, SG/SF, Nevada | Age: 22.9
56. Dink Pate, SG/SF, Mexico City | Age: 19.2
57. Micah Peavy, SG/SF, Georgetown | Age: 23
58. Hunter Sallis, SG, Wake Forest | Age: 22
59. RJ Luis, SF/PF, St. John's | Age: 22.5
Behind Tonje. Gard gets it done
Quote from: Uncle Rico on June 02, 2025, 06:52:18 AMBehind Tonje. Gard gets it done
I'm shocked Kam was rated higher in Mocks all year. Tonje is bigger (1.5"), stronger, better wingspan and standing reach, better leaper, more athletic, and a better 3-point shooter.
I expect he will continue to rise. Kam has to show teams in visits that he is a knockdown 3 point shooter to maintain his status as early to mid 2nd.
Quote from: Jockey on June 02, 2025, 12:24:12 PMI'm shocked Kam was rated higher in Mocks all year. Tonje is bigger (1.5"), stronger, better wingspan and standing reach, better leaper, more athletic, and a better 3-point shooter.
I expect he will continue to rise. Kam has to show teams in visits that he is a knockdown 3 point shooter to maintain his status as early to mid 2nd.
The Gard Factor matters, too
Quote from: Jockey on June 02, 2025, 12:24:12 PMTonje is bigger (1.5")
pawz, but Tonje sucks
Undersized 24 yo bowling ball who only has a good offensive season once he was playing kids 5 years younger than him.
Quote from: Jay Bee on June 02, 2025, 01:19:50 PMpawz, but Tonje sucks
Undersized 24 yo bowling ball who only has a good offensive season once he was playing kids 5 years younger than him.
We'll see in a couple weeks. If he was 20, he'd be a 1st. I expect early 2nd.
Quote from: Jockey on June 02, 2025, 02:59:19 PMWe'll see in a couple weeks. If he was 20, he'd be a 1st. I expect early 2nd.
When he was 20.....he wasnt good enough to be in the draft.
Quote from: We R Final Four on June 02, 2025, 03:50:52 PMWhen he was 20.....he wasnt good enough to be in the deadt.
True, but neither was Kam.
Quote from: Jockey on June 02, 2025, 12:24:12 PMI'm shocked Kam was rated higher in Mocks all year. Tonje is bigger (1.5"), stronger, better wingspan and standing reach, better leaper, more athletic, and a better 3-point shooter.
I expect he will continue to rise. Kam has to show teams in visits that he is a knockdown 3 point shooter to maintain his status as early to mid 2nd.
The stats and measurables for Tonje are solid to good. I think the problem is that he doesn't really do anything on the court at an NBA level. I don't see anything that translates.
Quote from: BM1090 on June 03, 2025, 02:02:10 AMThe stats and measurables for Tonje are solid to good. I think the problem is that he doesn't really do anything on the court at an NBA level. I don't see anything that translates.
Agree. Meanwhile, Kam is seen as a combo guard who mostly excelled when playing PG for an NCAA tournament team. Unfortunately, his poor shooting in the BE season dropped him out of the first round.
Quote from: BM1090 on June 03, 2025, 02:02:10 AMThe stats and measurables for Tonje are solid to good. I think the problem is that he doesn't really do anything on the court at an NBA level. I don't see anything that translates.
Johnny Davis: "Hold my beer."
Quote from: BM1090 on June 03, 2025, 02:02:10 AMThe stats and measurables for Tonje are solid to good. I think the problem is that he doesn't really do anything on the court at an NBA level. I don't see anything that translates.
Well, he shoots free throws well. But that's about it.
With the draft approaching, The Athletic's Sam Vecenie has come out with his final top-100 ratings and guide.
He has Kam ranked #32 overall, in his 6th Tier that he labels, "Second round guarantee swings." Vecenie raves about Kam's all-around offensive game, footwork, and improvement every year at Marquette. He said Kam's 3-point decline as a senior shouldn't be viewed too negatively because his on-ball responsibilities affected him, he still made 37% of his catch-and-shoot 3s, and his 4-year record showed "he should still be relied on to make shots." Vecenie also called him "one of the best guard finishers" in college hoops.
Vecenie's main concern is that Kam is not a great athlete and could have trouble getting to his most advantageous spots in the NBA. He also said Kam was only an OK defender.
All in all, I thought it was a fair assessment.
Others of note: Knueppel is #3; Queen is #11; Sorber is #14 (top-rated Big East player); McNeeley is #21; Kalkbrenner is #26; Tonje is #35; Broome is #40; Hepburn is #56; Luis is #58; Dixon is #67; Richmond is #80; Patrick McCaffrey is #100.
Quote from: MU82 on June 11, 2025, 04:56:02 PMWith the draft a week away, The Athletic's Sam Vecenie has come out with his final top-100 ratings and guide.
He has Kam ranked #32 overall, in his 6th Tier that he labels, "Second round guarantee swings." Vecenie raves about Kam's all-around offensive game, footwork, and improvement every year at Marquette. He said Kam's 3-point decline as a senior shouldn't be viewed too negatively because his on-ball responsibilities affected him, he still made 37% of his catch-and-shoot 3s, and his 4-year record showed "he should still be relied on to make shots." Vecenie also called him "one of the best guard finishers" in college hoops.
Vecenie's main concern is that Kam is not a great athlete and could have trouble getting to his most advantageous spots in the NBA. He also said Kam was only an OK defender.
All in all, I thought it was a fair assessment.
Others of note: Knueppel is #3; Queen is #11; Sorber is #14 (top-rated Big East player); McNeeley is #21; Kalkbrenner is #26; Tonje is #35; Broome is #40; Hepburn is #56; Luis is #58; Dixon is #67; Richmond is #80; Patrick McCaffrey is #100.
*Two weeks away
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on June 11, 2025, 06:38:57 PM*Two weeks away
Perhaps you haven't noticed, but MU82 lives on a different planet.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on June 11, 2025, 06:38:57 PM*Two weeks away
Thanks. I made an error. Which means I live on a different planet.
Vecenie also has come out with a mock draft, and he has Kam going #32 (second pick in the second round) to Boston.
Yahoo Sports' NBA guy Kevin O'Connor has Kam going 42nd overall to the Kings. His assessment:
Jones offers crafty combo guard skills with advanced shot creation and a blossoming playmaking feel. But his so-so athleticism and streaky shooting paint him as just a cog rather than the rare star upperclassmen set to enter the league.
His NBA comp is Donte DiVincenzo. Hmm.
Quote from: MU82 on June 13, 2025, 11:47:21 AMYahoo Sports' NBA guy Kevin O'Connor has Kam going 42nd overall to the Kings. His assessment:
Jones offers crafty combo guard skills with advanced shot creation and a blossoming playmaking feel. But his so-so athleticism and streaky shooting paint him as just a cog rather than the rare star upperclassmen set to enter the league.
His NBA comp is Donte DiVincenzo. Hmm.
That seems like an odd comp, seeing how DiVincenzo's athleticism is his greatest asset.
Quote from: BrewCity83 on June 13, 2025, 03:00:36 PMThat seems like an odd comp, seeing how DiVincenzo's athleticism is his greatest asset.
Exactly what I was going to post.