Del Jones to SHU
- Thread starter hbkmyr
- Start date
Good news. Sha has been high on him for a few cycles now it appears.
I don’t typically chime in about these kinds of topics but I’ll break form and say: seems like an ok pickup.
This wasn't a biggie for me when I first read about the visit. But then yesterday I spoke to someone close to Holloway and was told he absolutely loved this young man.
I rechecked his stats and again they were questionable, but if Sha wanted him that badly so did I. Watching his mixtape, the talent on the offensive end is obvious, but he must play with more discipline. Who better to teach him that than our head coach.
I rechecked his stats and again they were questionable, but if Sha wanted him that badly so did I. Watching his mixtape, the talent on the offensive end is obvious, but he must play with more discipline. Who better to teach him that than our head coach.
Anyone know the answer to this? North of a million?
Shaheen gets intriguing players at least with our serious lack of money. I would’ve rather we went after shooters. You know, like Shaheen said we needed to after this season ended.
We got two guards, both of whom I’d imagine will be starters. One is a career 31% from 3 and the other 32.6%.
Since we know we don’t have money for talented bigs we’re going to rely again on the guards for scoring.
We got two guards, both of whom I’d imagine will be starters. One is a career 31% from 3 and the other 32.6%.
Since we know we don’t have money for talented bigs we’re going to rely again on the guards for scoring.
Jones is the modern-day point guard, with a score-first mentality – but for good reason. A versatile bucket-getter, Jones can get his at all three levels of the floor. There isn’t a look he doesn’t like, as he’ll take one-legged pull-up jumpers, running floaters, finishes at the rim or step-back threes – among a variety of other shots.
Wilcher is a better shooter than he’s shown IMO and you can bet he would have put up significant PPG if he played at Radford last year with that competitive and a green light. But we also know Wilcher can guard which is another positive.
Like these two. Let’s get another lead guard or more traditional PG and then go to the wings and bigs.
Like these two. Let’s get another lead guard or more traditional PG and then go to the wings and bigs.
Agree.
Obviously you’re very happy they didn’t let him leave without getting his pledge, right?
Seton Hall lands Radford transfer Del Jones | Zagsblog
By ADAM ZAGORIA Shaheen Holloway continues to […]
www.zagsblog.com
By ADAM ZAGORIA
Shaheen Holloway continues to rebuild his roster after another mass exodus via the transfer portal.
The Pirates on Sunday got a commitment from Del Jones, a 6-foot-3 sophomore transfer from Radford.
He averaged 17.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 42% from the field.
Jones went for 20+ points seven times this past season and scored 22 in a loss to North Carolina in November.
He joins Texas transfer Sim Wilcher in the new-look Seton Hall backcourt.
The Pirates lost virtually their entire roster to the portal, with point guard Budd Clark (Ole Miss) and freshman big man Najai Hines (UConn) already picking new destinations.
Now we need a front court.Seton Hall lands Radford transfer Del Jones | Zagsblog
By ADAM ZAGORIA Shaheen Holloway continues to […]www.zagsblog.com
By ADAM ZAGORIA
Shaheen Holloway continues to rebuild his roster after another mass exodus via the transfer portal.
The Pirates on Sunday got a commitment from Del Jones, a 6-foot-3 sophomore transfer from Radford.
He averaged 17.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 42% from the field.
Jones went for 20+ points seven times this past season and scored 22 in a loss to North Carolina in November.
He joins Texas transfer Sim Wilcher in the new-look Seton Hall backcourt.
The Pirates lost virtually their entire roster to the portal, with point guard Budd Clark (Ole Miss) and freshman big man Najai Hines (UConn) already picking new destinations.
As long as we have guys who can score at top D 1 level ( need to be proven) I cannot complain and can have faith it won't be like 2024-2025.
Just get something in the front court and bring back Parker. Can we still bring back Dar? We need veterans in the locker room.
Just get something in the front court and bring back Parker. Can we still bring back Dar? We need veterans in the locker room.
Seton Hall still needs tons of players, Del can score albeit inefficiently, sort of plays like Clark, have to take players like this and hope Sha can improve him.
Can't tell how good a get it is until next March.
Can't tell how good a get it is until next March.
Shaheen needs guards who can run an entire offense themselves like Budd and Kadary. Del seems to fit that mold.
By all metrics, he's not a good defender. Less than 20th percentile in DRating and Total DBPM which take all of your individual stats into play and your team's impact when you are on the floor. These numbers are dragged down some by playing for a poor overall team but they don't paint a pretty picture of his defensive value.
DRating 116.5 (19th percentile)
Steal % 1.4 (27th percentile)
Block % 1.3 (50th percentile)
Def Rebound% 11.2 (41st percentile)
DBPM -2.52 (11th percentile)
He has solid size and agility so if he's willing to work hard, Sha should be able to get at least average defense out of him like he does with most of his players with ability.
OFFENSIVE ROLE & IMPACT
▶
Jones functions as Radford's lead initiator, operating at a 29.2% usage rate across 29 games and averaging 17.2 points and 3.5 assists per game. His 89th-percentile Assist% (21.9%) signals genuine playmaking volume for a combo guard, and his ability to draw fouls at a 40.1 FTR adds a consistent secondary scoring mechanism. The concern is that a 101.9 raw ORtg and 17.2% turnover rate (42nd percentile — below average ball security) cap how efficiently that usage translates into team value.
SHOT PROFILE & PLAYMAKING
▶
Jones's shooting profile is uneven: his 3P% of 30.1% on 133 attempts sits at the 27th percentile (below average), and his 2P% of 45.5% ranks at just the 29th percentile, combining for an eFG% of 45.4% at the 25th percentile — right at the threshold of poor. The saving grace is at the line, where his 81.7% FT% (81st percentile) on 169 attempts demonstrates both shooting touch and the ability to manufacture points through contact. Until his shooting from the field improves, his TS% of 51.87% will remain a limiting factor against higher-level defenses.
DEFENSIVE CONTRIBUTION
▶
The defensive metrics are the most significant red flag in Jones's profile: his Adj DRtg of 116.532 ranks at the 19th percentile against D1 competition, indicating he is a net negative on that end. His Stl% sits at the 27th percentile and his DReb% at the 41st percentile, confirming that the defensive struggles are not isolated to one area. At 6-3 with a 50th-percentile Blk%, he profiles as a perimeter-only defender who has yet to show he can hold up at a high level.
ADVANCED METRICS
▶
Jones's BPM of -3.91 breaks down into an OBPM of -1.40 and a DBPM of -2.52, meaning the model sees him as a below-average contributor on both ends, with his defensive drag slightly outpacing his offensive drag — a troubling split for a high-usage guard. His PORPAG of 1.82 (a per-40 production metric benchmarked against replacement level) is a relative bright spot, suggesting his raw scoring output clears a replacement threshold even if team-level impact lags. RAPM of -4.20 (Below Average) and an ORAPM in the 16th percentile further reinforce that his volume stats overstate his actual positive contribution to winning.
CAREER PROGRESSION
▶
Jones transferred from Clemson after a freshman season in which he posted a 21.0% usage rate, a 98.8 ORtg, and a PORPAG of just 0.54741 — a limited role that offered little projection surface. Moving to Radford and the Big South, his usage jumped 8.2 percentage points, his ORtg climbed to 101.9, and his PORPAG more than tripled to 1.82077, showing clear growth in offensive integration and scoring production within a larger role. The trajectory is encouraging as a sophomore, but the efficiency floor and defensive metrics indicate the jump in responsibility has outpaced the jump in effectiveness.
SCHEDULE CONTEXT
▶
Opponents' adjusted offensive rating of 106.4 classifies as above-average relative to the D1 mean of ~109, meaning Jones's defensive numbers were tested against offenses slightly better than the D1 average, lending modest credibility to his defensive struggles. Opponents' adjusted defensive rating of 112.1 falls in the below-average tier (111–114), indicating Jones faced weaker-than-average defenses, which should have inflated his offensive counting stats and makes his below-average efficiency metrics more concerning, not less.
YEAR-OVER-YEAR TRAJECTORY
▶
ORtg improved from 98.8 (Clemson, 2025) to 101.9 (Radford, 2026) — improving, though still below average by D1 standards. USG% climbed from 21.0% to 29.2% — improving sharply, reflecting a primary-option role. TS% is not available for the prior season, so trend cannot be assessed; current TS% of 51.87% is below average for a guard at this usage level. BPM moved from a prior PORPAG of 0.54741 (very limited contribution) to a current BPM of -3.91 — the increased role has not yet produced positive overall impact. Overall verdict: expanded role, modest efficiency gains, not yet translating to winning contribution.
PORTAL VALUE
▶
Among portal combo guards, pairing a 29.2% usage rate with an 89th-percentile Assist% (21.9%) is genuinely uncommon — most guards at this usage level are score-first and log Ast% below 15%. However, the combination of a 25th-percentile eFG% (45.4%) and a 19th-percentile Adj DRtg (116.532) makes Jones a difficult fit for programs expecting two-way returns on a high-usage guard, limiting genuine interest to programs that can absorb the defensive liability.
ELIGIBILITY
▶
Has 2 years of eligibility remaining after this season.
HISTORICAL COMPS
▶
• Mekhi Mason (2024, Rice) — nearly identical PORPAG (1.78) and usage (27.4%) with a similarly negative BPM (-1.9), a comp who stayed at the mid-major level
• Brayon Freeman (2025, Bethune Cookman) — closest match in usage (29.5%) and PORPAG (1.96) with a BPM of -3.69, reinforcing the high-volume/low-efficiency archetype
• Ezra Manjon (2022, UC Davis) — 28.6% usage and PORPAG of 1.96 with a BPM of -2.21, a guard who produced counting stats without translating to positive team-level impact
BOTTOM LINE
▶
Del Jones is a legitimate mid-major scoring option who has made a meaningful developmental leap from his freshman role at Clemson, but his below-average efficiency from the field, negative RAPM, and 19th-percentile adjusted defensive rating present real barriers to mid-major starting success, let alone high-major consideration. The playmaking rate (89th percentile Ast%) and free-throw volume are genuine tools that could be unlocked in the right system, but they need to be paired with shooting and defensive improvements to raise his ceiling. As a portal asset, he fits best in a mid-major or low-major program willing to build around a high-usage initiator and absorb the defensive cost.
▶
Jones functions as Radford's lead initiator, operating at a 29.2% usage rate across 29 games and averaging 17.2 points and 3.5 assists per game. His 89th-percentile Assist% (21.9%) signals genuine playmaking volume for a combo guard, and his ability to draw fouls at a 40.1 FTR adds a consistent secondary scoring mechanism. The concern is that a 101.9 raw ORtg and 17.2% turnover rate (42nd percentile — below average ball security) cap how efficiently that usage translates into team value.
SHOT PROFILE & PLAYMAKING
▶
Jones's shooting profile is uneven: his 3P% of 30.1% on 133 attempts sits at the 27th percentile (below average), and his 2P% of 45.5% ranks at just the 29th percentile, combining for an eFG% of 45.4% at the 25th percentile — right at the threshold of poor. The saving grace is at the line, where his 81.7% FT% (81st percentile) on 169 attempts demonstrates both shooting touch and the ability to manufacture points through contact. Until his shooting from the field improves, his TS% of 51.87% will remain a limiting factor against higher-level defenses.
DEFENSIVE CONTRIBUTION
▶
The defensive metrics are the most significant red flag in Jones's profile: his Adj DRtg of 116.532 ranks at the 19th percentile against D1 competition, indicating he is a net negative on that end. His Stl% sits at the 27th percentile and his DReb% at the 41st percentile, confirming that the defensive struggles are not isolated to one area. At 6-3 with a 50th-percentile Blk%, he profiles as a perimeter-only defender who has yet to show he can hold up at a high level.
ADVANCED METRICS
▶
Jones's BPM of -3.91 breaks down into an OBPM of -1.40 and a DBPM of -2.52, meaning the model sees him as a below-average contributor on both ends, with his defensive drag slightly outpacing his offensive drag — a troubling split for a high-usage guard. His PORPAG of 1.82 (a per-40 production metric benchmarked against replacement level) is a relative bright spot, suggesting his raw scoring output clears a replacement threshold even if team-level impact lags. RAPM of -4.20 (Below Average) and an ORAPM in the 16th percentile further reinforce that his volume stats overstate his actual positive contribution to winning.
CAREER PROGRESSION
▶
Jones transferred from Clemson after a freshman season in which he posted a 21.0% usage rate, a 98.8 ORtg, and a PORPAG of just 0.54741 — a limited role that offered little projection surface. Moving to Radford and the Big South, his usage jumped 8.2 percentage points, his ORtg climbed to 101.9, and his PORPAG more than tripled to 1.82077, showing clear growth in offensive integration and scoring production within a larger role. The trajectory is encouraging as a sophomore, but the efficiency floor and defensive metrics indicate the jump in responsibility has outpaced the jump in effectiveness.
SCHEDULE CONTEXT
▶
Opponents' adjusted offensive rating of 106.4 classifies as above-average relative to the D1 mean of ~109, meaning Jones's defensive numbers were tested against offenses slightly better than the D1 average, lending modest credibility to his defensive struggles. Opponents' adjusted defensive rating of 112.1 falls in the below-average tier (111–114), indicating Jones faced weaker-than-average defenses, which should have inflated his offensive counting stats and makes his below-average efficiency metrics more concerning, not less.
YEAR-OVER-YEAR TRAJECTORY
▶
ORtg improved from 98.8 (Clemson, 2025) to 101.9 (Radford, 2026) — improving, though still below average by D1 standards. USG% climbed from 21.0% to 29.2% — improving sharply, reflecting a primary-option role. TS% is not available for the prior season, so trend cannot be assessed; current TS% of 51.87% is below average for a guard at this usage level. BPM moved from a prior PORPAG of 0.54741 (very limited contribution) to a current BPM of -3.91 — the increased role has not yet produced positive overall impact. Overall verdict: expanded role, modest efficiency gains, not yet translating to winning contribution.
PORTAL VALUE
▶
Among portal combo guards, pairing a 29.2% usage rate with an 89th-percentile Assist% (21.9%) is genuinely uncommon — most guards at this usage level are score-first and log Ast% below 15%. However, the combination of a 25th-percentile eFG% (45.4%) and a 19th-percentile Adj DRtg (116.532) makes Jones a difficult fit for programs expecting two-way returns on a high-usage guard, limiting genuine interest to programs that can absorb the defensive liability.
ELIGIBILITY
▶
Has 2 years of eligibility remaining after this season.
HISTORICAL COMPS
▶
• Mekhi Mason (2024, Rice) — nearly identical PORPAG (1.78) and usage (27.4%) with a similarly negative BPM (-1.9), a comp who stayed at the mid-major level
• Brayon Freeman (2025, Bethune Cookman) — closest match in usage (29.5%) and PORPAG (1.96) with a BPM of -3.69, reinforcing the high-volume/low-efficiency archetype
• Ezra Manjon (2022, UC Davis) — 28.6% usage and PORPAG of 1.96 with a BPM of -2.21, a guard who produced counting stats without translating to positive team-level impact
BOTTOM LINE
▶
Del Jones is a legitimate mid-major scoring option who has made a meaningful developmental leap from his freshman role at Clemson, but his below-average efficiency from the field, negative RAPM, and 19th-percentile adjusted defensive rating present real barriers to mid-major starting success, let alone high-major consideration. The playmaking rate (89th percentile Ast%) and free-throw volume are genuine tools that could be unlocked in the right system, but they need to be paired with shooting and defensive improvements to raise his ceiling. As a portal asset, he fits best in a mid-major or low-major program willing to build around a high-usage initiator and absorb the defensive cost.
Should have at least 6 million left. Would assume it will be spread among 12 guys knowing the socialist model Sha unfortunately utilizes in roster construction
Tidbit about Jones' season. He began his Conference season on fire scoring over 20 points in 8 of 10 games.
Through the first 10 Big South games he averaged 22.0 points, 4.9 rebs & 2.3 asts, 2.6 TOs with a 44.8 FG% & 35.4 3FG%.
In the final 7 games he averaged 16.0 points, 3.1 rebs & 4.6 asts, 3.6 TOs with a 32.0 FG% & 24.2 3FG%.
Let's hope the January version of Jones is more indicative of the player he is. He may have run out of gas with the large increase in minutes played, usage and heavy ball handling responsibilities.
Through the first 10 Big South games he averaged 22.0 points, 4.9 rebs & 2.3 asts, 2.6 TOs with a 44.8 FG% & 35.4 3FG%.
In the final 7 games he averaged 16.0 points, 3.1 rebs & 4.6 asts, 3.6 TOs with a 32.0 FG% & 24.2 3FG%.
Let's hope the January version of Jones is more indicative of the player he is. He may have run out of gas with the large increase in minutes played, usage and heavy ball handling responsibilities.
He'll be playing in a different system albeit against a higher level of competition.
Sight unseen other than reading analytics and watching mixtapes I see Jones as a diamond in the rough. The physical ability is there. That's a must at this level. Now he must be coached to maximize his talent.
This early with a new coach and a different offensive and defensive system no one knows how that will play out. The expectation is he'll compete with other quality teammates that will allow him to play to his strengths, not force and thus play to his potential.
But this early none of us will know with any certainty what his impact will be. We as fans can only hope for the best.
Sight unseen other than reading analytics and watching mixtapes I see Jones as a diamond in the rough. The physical ability is there. That's a must at this level. Now he must be coached to maximize his talent.
This early with a new coach and a different offensive and defensive system no one knows how that will play out. The expectation is he'll compete with other quality teammates that will allow him to play to his strengths, not force and thus play to his potential.
But this early none of us will know with any certainty what his impact will be. We as fans can only hope for the best.
He chose us over whom? If Indiana was in play, we must have offered him more money.
On another note....... Mullins returning to UCONN. Stewart leaving. Hurley says Mullin can make more at UCONN than he would as the #15 NBA pick. Article (CT Post) claims nos. 15-19 make $3.9 to $3 mil.
On another note....... Mullins returning to UCONN. Stewart leaving. Hurley says Mullin can make more at UCONN than he would as the #15 NBA pick. Article (CT Post) claims nos. 15-19 make $3.9 to $3 mil.
I like the pick up. Let’s get some bigs and a shooter to play the three.