Will Jarrod Jones get drafted?

Jones graduated from Michigan City the year after Robbie Hummel and Scott Martin left Valparaiso High School. The power forward developed into a legitimate NBA prospect at Ball State, sprouting from a skinny 6-7, 185-pound tweener into a 6-9, 220-pound beast. Jones averaged 14.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in his final year at BSU and he never averaged under double figures for the Cardinals.

He is currently working out with John Lucas in Texas, hoping to get the call on draft day. That is probably a long shot this year — he is ranked as the 72nd best prospect by DraftExpress, but he certainly could work himself onto the roster of any NBA team with some time in the NBA Development League.

Jones has flown under the radar ever since he broke his leg after his junior season. He lost his leverage with major Division I schools because of the setback and his refusal to go to prep school for a year. It worked out for him, though. He was able to get plenty of early playing time at Ball State and he left third on the Cardinals’ all-time scoring list with 1,623 points and third in rebounds with 981. He was first in career starts with 120.

Working on the dream

Michigan City grad working hard to realize NBA goals
By Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
Published: Monday, June 25, 2012 9:10 AM CDT
While in high school, Jarrod Jones coaches made a habit of saying the big man’s best basketball was ahead of him.

Even when Jones graduated from Michigan City High School in 2008, then-coach Bob Buscher suggested Jones’ future development would turn some heads.

After four years at Ball State, Jones will learn more about his future on June 28. That’s the date of the NBA Draft, and Jones has been working feverishly to try and secure a spot on a team’s roster.

“The workouts have been going well and each one gets better,” he said. “I’m seeing some interest from certain teams, so it’s going pretty good.”

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Jones’ name started popping up in online mock drafts within the last year, mostly as a mid to late second round pick. While his name has fallen off and reappeared several times since then, it’s clear Jones is on the NBA’s radar.

After spending time at a camp in Texas under the tutelage of former NBA star player and coach, John Lucas, Jones has recently been jetting around the country working out for teams like the Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jones admits getting the chance to play for the home-state Pacers would be cool, but adds he’s perfectly happy to go wherever he’s wanted.

In a workout in Sacramento, Jones held his own against UConn forward Andre Drummond, projected by most experts to be a top 10 pick.

“(Scouts) are telling me they like the fact I can knock down open jumpers,” said Jones, who is 6-9 and 240 pounds. “They want to see me knock down those shots, spread the floor and rebound. As long as I do that, I’ll have a place in the league.”

The NBA Draft contains just two rounds and only 60 players will be selected, so many players get onto rosters as undrafted free agents. Jones is prepared for that possibility.

“If I’m not drafted, that will be a good opportunity to be a free agent and hand pick the team of my choice where I could possibly fit in and be able to contribute,” Jones said.

At Ball State, Jones had a four-year standout career. He was named the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year in 2009 and was named first team All-MAC as a junior, while making the second team as a senior.

He played in 123 games, starting a school-record 121, averaging 13.2 points per game, 8.0 rebounds per games and totaling 115 blocked shots (second all-time at BSU). He shot 47 percent from the floor and 68 percent from free throw line.

His 1,615 career points rank him sixth all-time in Cardinals history and he’s second all-time in attempted free throws. His 975 rebounds rank third all-time at BSU.

“I had a lot of success (in Muncie) and had ups and downs,” Jones said. “I’ve been through a lot of different situations and that’s something in the league I have to be ready to deal with, the good and the bad.”

Jones plans to watch the draft at home here in Michigan City with his family as his future is laid out before him, one way or another.

“I’m definitely excited to see where I’m gonna end up and what that’s gonna be,” Jones said. “It’s been a long journey, but even after June 28 my journey isn’t over.

“I have to continue to work.”

Draft Diary: Jarrod Jones (Entry No. 10)

Jarrod Jones hopes his dream comes true tonight at the NBA Draft.
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By Jarrod Jones
Twitter: @jarrodjones45

Thursday, June 28, 2012

The last few weeks have been very eventful as my schedule has been full of intense training, team workouts and flights from city to city.

It has been an experience that has been very tough, however I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I have been presented with many opportunities throughout this pre-draft process and I am waiting for the mystery to unravel of where I will be playing during my rookie season of my professional career.

After working out for teams such as Sacramento, Minnesota, Houston and Indiana, as well as interviews with others, I look forward to this year's 2012 NBA Draft and hope that it is God's will for me to hear my name called.

I am thankful for the time that all of the readers have taken to read my draft diary entries and I appreciate the support.

You can continue to follow me on Twitter @jarrodjones45 to keep up with me and see updates on me in the future. God bless!