Should UK's Terrence Jones Stay In School (Again)?
At this point last season, we were talking about a versatile Kentucky freshman being selected among the top five or six players in the 2011 NBA Draft. As the season progressed, Terrence Jones' play slowed down before really tailing off in March. By April, he was considered an outside shot for the lottery, so Jones returned to Kentucky, hoping to lead a young and talented team back to the Final Four.
But Jones' sophomore struggles are well-documented: missing games with injuries, losing minutes to freshmen an drastic inconsistencies. His numbers across the board are down from usage rates, offensive ratings, scoring, rebounding, you name it. So is it possible Jones could even return to Lexington for his junior season?
The 2012 Draft pool is loaded with talent and some of the very best players come from his own roster, so Jones could be looking at a late-first round selection if he does indeed leave school after this season. If he returns for another year, he will almost certainly be the go-to player Coach John Calipari will need with a short-handed roster, void of all of the talent that leaves for the NBA. And then Jones could really shine, unlike this season, where he has stood-out in limited bursts.
If he declares this season, he will join forwards Perry Jones, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Jared Sullinger, Quincy Miller, John Henson among others. A return to the blue-and-white could be wise.
2010-11: 15.7 points per game, 8.8 rebounds, 2.0 turnovers (0.8 assist-to-turnover)
2011-12: 11.8 points per game, 6.3 rebounds, 2.4 turnovers (0.6 assist-to-turnover)
By President Corey Ruff - 1 - 11 - 12
