Kai Jones leaving Longhorns to enter NBA draft
AUSTIN — Texas sophomore forward Kai Jones will forgo his remaining college eligibility and declare for the 2021 NBA draft, he announced Wednesday night. He intends to sign with an agent in the near future.
“It was truly an honor to represent the Texas Longhorns for the past to seasons and suit up with my brothers night in and night out,” Jones wrote in a farewell letter posted to Twitter. “I want to thank Coach Smart, the staff and my teammates for pushing me and helping me grow on and off the court. I feel like I’ve improved as a player, a teammate and a person as a Longhorn. My time her has set me up to be successful as I take the next steps in my career.
“With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft!”
The 6-11 Jones was named Big 12 sixth man of the year as one of the nation’s breakout prospects last season. He boosted his scoring average from 3.6 to 8.8 and his rebounding average from 3.2 to 4.8 while playing 22.8 minutes per game. He also shot 38.2 percent from 3-point range and 58 percent from the field.
And Jones is just scratching the surface. He’s aneager sponge with tantalizing size and enough raw potential to land as a lottery pick.
“Somebody like that brings you energy because he's gonna react to everything,” Texas junior guard Courtney Ramey said. “So that makes you raise your level up. And then you can see him maturing each and every day.”
Though Jones came off the bench most of the season, he supplanted freshman Greg Brown in the starting lineup over Texas’ final two games.
Jones was key in helping No. 9 Texas (19-8) secure its first Big 12 tournament title, scoring 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting with five rebounds in the 91-86 win over Oklahoma State. He also started the thirdseeded Longhorns' 53-52 loss to No. 14 seed Abilene Christian in the NCAA Tournament’s first round, finishing with 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting, three rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
“Since I can remember, having the chance to play in the National Basketball Association has been my dreams,” Jones’ letter said. “Growing up in the Bahamas, not many of my peers have had the opportunity that I have in front of me now, the ability to achieve those dreams.And for that I want to thank my family, especially my mom and dad, for providing me the opportunity to be in the position I am in today. My story is just beginning, but I’ve already come so far and my journey to this point truly has prepared me for this moment.”
Odds and ends
Florida point guard Tre Mann, the program’s best one-on-one playmaker since Jason Williams more than two decades ago, is leaving school early and turning pro. Mann is expected to hire an agent and does not intend to return to college. The 6--5 sophomore from Gainesville led the Gators with 16 points a game. …
North Carolina freshman forward Day’Ron Sharpe announced through his social media accounts that he has decided to enter the NBA draft. He led the team in rebounding with 7.6 boards per game, despite playing just 19.8 minutes per game. Sharpe averaged 9.5 points,