Jaden Jones Video
- Thread starter HeavenUniv.
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Coach Pike said in a recent article he hopes Rutgers players testing the pro waters each year will become a normal event.
Based on that video?
He had the chance last year to take minutes from Paul and Caleb and Montez and Geo and didn't. Things are not that easy on the court in the B1G. I don't care who you are.
Need to pump brakes and lower expectations.
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His first collegiate practice was on 1/16, coming in at 195 and having just turned 18. Pike said after his first 2 practices at the time: “He’s trying to figure out our drills, our offense in the middle of a season. It’s a hard time to just jump in and know what you’re doing. He’s in the back of the line learning everything.”
Not sure why you think he had a legit chance to take minutes from Mulcahy, McConnell, and Mathis at that point.
He took the second half of last season putting in the work to get competitive - hitting the weight room, running drills, learning expectations, and understanding the culture - and he's now gotten a full offseason with the team, and a lot more reps with the departure of 43% of our guard minutes at the 1-3. He's put on 25 lbs through S&C, adding strength and endurance he didn't have last year.
I'd expect him to be giving us 20+ minutes off the bench to start the season, possibly 25+, and in line to be our starting SG after Baker's departure at the end of the year.
I get all that. The poster is making it seem like it is a given he will leave in less than 4 years to be a pro. It would have been unreasonable to expect he would take minutes away. It is also unreasonable to expect that he will be leaving RU in 3 years to play pro ball.
He could have a great career here and be one of the all time greats. I just don't think that should be expected. Rutgers place in the college basketball world have definitely improved a ton. We still are far away to be the place where top guys go to the school. If a player ends up at Rutgers currently it is because top schools didn't want the player or see him as a definite guy in the rotation.
He definitely looks to have the size and strength to perform in the B1G. Let's hope he plays B1G when the season starts.
You really think that top schools didn't want Omouryi?
The quality of recruiting is going up as we're having more success, and I'd expect we start seeing a Top 50-75 guy every couple of years. We're not at the point where we're fielding a full roster of one-and-done prospects, but we're also no longer at the point where we have to settle for table scraps.
Greene.....the worse thing one can do, is determine someone's talent level based on what they look like as a frosh. We have already well documented stat lines showing RHJ started his RU career at something like 3 for 26 from 3.....and he was hailed as a shooter out of HS.
I don't see anything different from Jaden Jones that I saw in RHJ as a frosh. The one difference is Jaden has a 9 month head start (Mid January to mid October) and has essentially been on campus for most if not all of the spring and summer, lifting, running, training.
I am not saying Jones is more talented or better than RHJ was arriving at RU, just that there are some similar skill sets/tendencies. It takes about all of just 2 to 5 minutes of game tape to see Jones has a different game or offensive potential. And more importantly, there's no Jacob Young or Montez Mathis in the way of someone filling in those minutes, shot attempts and learning on the fly, so Jones becomes someone who can be counted on after the 2021-22 season. I would expect big things in his sophomore year, with some flashes this year from Jones (multiple double figure scoring games).
I don't see anything different from Jaden Jones that I saw in RHJ as a frosh. The one difference is Jaden has a 9 month head start (Mid January to mid October) and has essentially been on campus for most if not all of the spring and summer, lifting, running, training.
I am not saying Jones is more talented or better than RHJ was arriving at RU, just that there are some similar skill sets/tendencies. It takes about all of just 2 to 5 minutes of game tape to see Jones has a different game or offensive potential. And more importantly, there's no Jacob Young or Montez Mathis in the way of someone filling in those minutes, shot attempts and learning on the fly, so Jones becomes someone who can be counted on after the 2021-22 season. I would expect big things in his sophomore year, with some flashes this year from Jones (multiple double figure scoring games).
Yes. There are only a small finite spots available for 5s or any position for the top 10-15 teams.
I do think he is a unique situation that is drawn to RU because of Engineering and having Myles as the example.
Guess that comes down to what you consider "Top 10-15".... seems not to include offers from Kentucky, UConn, Florida, Syracuse, Louisville, Arizona, Memphis, Maryland, Illinois....
Also feels colored a bit by inferiority bias - that is, a feeling that he couldn't have had other offers, since he committed to us, or that those other offers mustn't have been serious or committable, because we're somehow not competitive on the recruiting trail.
OR just maybe Omoruyi was a prospect other "top" schools wanted and a recruiting win coming off a strong season that would have been our first tournament appearance if not for Covid. Just maybe.
We're not the island of misfit toys - we're a competitive program in one of the best conferences in the country.
Looks smooth. He's definitely been putting in the work. Seems like teammates like him and they all get along and building that chemistry.
Excited to see what he brings and how the team collectively gels this season. Its interesting for a team who is returning so many players (but lost 2 starters) for this much to really feel unknown.
What will we get from Cliff & Jaden will determine how far this team goes.
Can Ron & Geo consistently be top tier B1G players as well? Last season they were both wildly inconsistent, but if they both play to the top half of their potential and Cliff says out of foul trouble/healthy - then we'll be very good.
Excited to see what he brings and how the team collectively gels this season. Its interesting for a team who is returning so many players (but lost 2 starters) for this much to really feel unknown.
What will we get from Cliff & Jaden will determine how far this team goes.
Can Ron & Geo consistently be top tier B1G players as well? Last season they were both wildly inconsistent, but if they both play to the top half of their potential and Cliff says out of foul trouble/healthy - then we'll be very good.
That's for sure. That was not the case 2-4 years ago.
If there is a tiered system there is nothing wrong with being in the 2nd tier. I still think if you are a player that is going to college just as a means to eventually play in the NBA you arent going to choose Rutgers. NIL is certainly not going to help this either. We can still be a perenial top 25 team this way. Quite frankly I prefer it this way.
I am unbelievably high on JJ...and we have a staff to bring him along just right until he is the number one option on offense ...next year.
think he is gojng to be the third leading scorer on the team, albeit it’s possible that he might be closer to number 6 than number 2
think he is gojng to be the third leading scorer on the team, albeit it’s possible that he might be closer to number 6 than number 2
Who knows. He could blow up and score 16.5 ppg. He could also be 3.5 PPg and struggle to see time.
that’s why it is fun for me and a new year.
that’s why it is fun for me and a new year.
I interpreted your post saying that because Jones didn't walk into the lineup on January 17th and outperform sophomores and juniors in Paul and Caleb, that we should temper expectations......I am stating that making that statement for someone arriving mid season isn't an accurate way to assess Jones or his skillset/talent
Ah the off season . . . Throw in a promotional video, and boy oh boy . . .
Maybe not January 17, but I think it’s important to remember he wasn’t getting any playing time in early March when Mathis was abysmal. The kid at Ohio State was getting decent run on a better team.
It can eliminate a player as a can't miss talent that is an almost certainity to play professionally.
From the tape I’ve seen and the little we saw of him at RU, Jaden looks like a player but you never really know until you see him against real comp
Many of these guys have the skills but not all of them can do it at the speed required at the Big level
I think he’s a 9-12 PPG scorer this year
Hope I’m right
Many of these guys have the skills but not all of them can do it at the speed required at the Big level
I think he’s a 9-12 PPG scorer this year
Hope I’m right
The minimum production for a wing or SG in the Pike era, for someone playing at least 22 minutes a game was Montez Mathis as a frosh in 2018-19 at around 7.4PPG. That covers a handful of players and 5 years of play.
I don't want to say it's a foregone conclusion that Jones exceeds 7.4 PPG, but if the player projects to be a better 3 point shooter than Mathis was as a freshman and can become a better FT shooter, then it comes down to whether to 3 things.
A) Can Jones attack or create his own offense 1 on 1.....?? All indicators are he is more likely than not, to be able to do so, in comparison to Mathis as a frosh......I am not saying Jones as a frosh would be better than Mathis as a senior, but an frosh season to frosh season with similar minutes, should result in similar or better numbers.
B) Can Jones score in the open floor?? Mathis was able to score in transition as much as any player outside of Jacob Young. However, the opportunity to get consistent transition baskets, becomes more unlikely as you get into B1G play. You are more likely going to have to execute and earn your points in a half court offense, vs relying on blocked shots, turnovers and a fast break. Jones should be more effective in half court, vs being reliant on transition points padding stats.
C) Home vs Away splits......(I am not an analytical guy, but something to consider).....I believe Mathis had the biggest difference in production as a player at home vs a player away, as anyone on the roster......does that mean anything, is it a trend, coincidence or just a factor that RU performs better at home and is more likely to win at home, which lines up with Mathis playing better at the RAC.
Mathis (I believe) averaged 10.7 PPG in 14 RAC games.....and it was 9.5PPG if I remove the 1st 3 games that are non Power 5 teams (Hofstra, FDU, Sacred Heart)
Mathis in away or neutral games (14 total games, 10 road, 2 B1G tournament, 2 NCAA tournament)......had 5.7 PPG....3 of the 14 road games were double figures, the 1st road game vs Ohio State, when RU was undefeated, Mathis had 16......at Minnesota where the NCAA birth was sealed (12 PTS) and the finale vs Houston, where Mathis had 2 huge 3 pointers, and gave RU 10 PTS in 23 solid minutes.
Jaden Jones and Aundre Hyatt should be more consistent players IMO, home and away. I believe RU getting transition points helped Mathis average around 8.5PPG. But I think Hyatt and Jones should exceed 8.5PPG, because I don't think you'll see such a large gap in home vs away.
Add in the 3 point and FT shooting and that should make up for not getting the steals and dunks. If RU is able to score in transition and turns it over less in half court with better 3 PT shooting (Jones and Hyatt), then RU should be better than last year, replacing the departing players. The bar of 8.5PPG isn't unreasonable to expect from Jones and Hyatt.
I don't want to say it's a foregone conclusion that Jones exceeds 7.4 PPG, but if the player projects to be a better 3 point shooter than Mathis was as a freshman and can become a better FT shooter, then it comes down to whether to 3 things.
A) Can Jones attack or create his own offense 1 on 1.....?? All indicators are he is more likely than not, to be able to do so, in comparison to Mathis as a frosh......I am not saying Jones as a frosh would be better than Mathis as a senior, but an frosh season to frosh season with similar minutes, should result in similar or better numbers.
B) Can Jones score in the open floor?? Mathis was able to score in transition as much as any player outside of Jacob Young. However, the opportunity to get consistent transition baskets, becomes more unlikely as you get into B1G play. You are more likely going to have to execute and earn your points in a half court offense, vs relying on blocked shots, turnovers and a fast break. Jones should be more effective in half court, vs being reliant on transition points padding stats.
C) Home vs Away splits......(I am not an analytical guy, but something to consider).....I believe Mathis had the biggest difference in production as a player at home vs a player away, as anyone on the roster......does that mean anything, is it a trend, coincidence or just a factor that RU performs better at home and is more likely to win at home, which lines up with Mathis playing better at the RAC.
Mathis (I believe) averaged 10.7 PPG in 14 RAC games.....and it was 9.5PPG if I remove the 1st 3 games that are non Power 5 teams (Hofstra, FDU, Sacred Heart)
Mathis in away or neutral games (14 total games, 10 road, 2 B1G tournament, 2 NCAA tournament)......had 5.7 PPG....3 of the 14 road games were double figures, the 1st road game vs Ohio State, when RU was undefeated, Mathis had 16......at Minnesota where the NCAA birth was sealed (12 PTS) and the finale vs Houston, where Mathis had 2 huge 3 pointers, and gave RU 10 PTS in 23 solid minutes.
Jaden Jones and Aundre Hyatt should be more consistent players IMO, home and away. I believe RU getting transition points helped Mathis average around 8.5PPG. But I think Hyatt and Jones should exceed 8.5PPG, because I don't think you'll see such a large gap in home vs away.
Add in the 3 point and FT shooting and that should make up for not getting the steals and dunks. If RU is able to score in transition and turns it over less in half court with better 3 PT shooting (Jones and Hyatt), then RU should be better than last year, replacing the departing players. The bar of 8.5PPG isn't unreasonable to expect from Jones and Hyatt.
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I edited the thread above where I only mentioned 2 of Mathis road /neutral games were double figures, it was 3, I missed the Minnesota finale.
Mathis is gone. He was a very flawed offensive player and should not be any sort of bar.
we know Geo and Ron and what they can be offensively. We know Cliff has to be on the court as a 5. The other guys are going to need to be willing defenders and provide offense. We know what Caleb and Paul can and can not do. There is a golden opportunity for Jones to make a big impact and have 22-25% of the offensive looks when he is on the floor.
if he plays 25 minutes and takes 23% of shots when on floor and we have 70 possessions and he is a 1.05 points per offensive attempt you get 10.5 PPG. Lower that to 20 MPG you get 8.5 PPG.
we know Geo and Ron and what they can be offensively. We know Cliff has to be on the court as a 5. The other guys are going to need to be willing defenders and provide offense. We know what Caleb and Paul can and can not do. There is a golden opportunity for Jones to make a big impact and have 22-25% of the offensive looks when he is on the floor.
if he plays 25 minutes and takes 23% of shots when on floor and we have 70 possessions and he is a 1.05 points per offensive attempt you get 10.5 PPG. Lower that to 20 MPG you get 8.5 PPG.
I'm not counting on Jones providing much of anything on offense. Before he gets increased minutes, he'll have to show that he can pass and defend at an acceptable level. If he's going to play guard, he has Geo, Paul, Caleb, and maybe Ron ahead of him, depending on the matchups. Unless those guys can't increase their scoring output to make up for JY, and MM, Pike is going to bring Jones along slowly.
There are Jaden Jones video's out there since middle school. George Mason sent him a recruiting letter in 5th grade. You can see the growth of Jaden's play over the years on YouTube by comparison. If you followed his IG since he committed here, he looks and plays on a different level from footage over the summer in between his junior and senior year of high school, August 2020 or any game you can find he played in 2018-20 against good competition at Prolific Prep, St Louis Christian, Texas or AAU. He is a big guard in close to a SF/PF body, There is a reason Jon Rothstein is raving about him.
Guys are almost positionless. Everyone is 6'6''. You have 4 spots which is 160 minutes.
If you want to pencil in Geo and Ron at 33 each you are at 66 and have 94 left.
I am not, but if you want to pencil CAleb and Paul at 23 each you are at 46 +66 = 112 and have 48 left
Hyatt, Miller, Jones, Mag and Oskar all fight for 48.
Hyatt might be close to a given at 23 so you have 25 left.
This analysis assumes you are high on the returning rotation players. I am hopeful that some of the new guys earn minutes over old rotation guys.
Also if we are talking Ron, Geo, Paul, Caleb, Hyatt, Cliff, Reiber, Jones and Miller as 9 likely or favored rotation guys...........I hate to do this..........what are the odds on any given day all are healthy. Less than 50%? Opens up minutes
There is a big leap playing at this level. Some find the transition easy and some don't. Only time will tell. It seems like we have had countless recruits that can flat out shoot the ball until they start playing D1 and everything is .2 seconds quicker and shots that were mildly contested are contested by guys 4 inches longer.
I don't want to even start listing the great shooters we have recruited that have failed to come even close to the 33.33% mark from 3.
I love how there are four more paragraphs even after the A, B, C paragraphs. And two before it. And another explanatory post right after this one. This is a top 5 Hawk post.
It's completely different than some posters who want to yell or post "Pike is this or that", the "recruiting is this or that".
I cannot say with certainty that there wasn't a bigger picture move to carve out space in the lineup for Jones and now Hyatt.....but it looks like everyone has a more defined role and it kinda makes sense on what role Jones can be groomed into, since he arrived in January 2021.
I have no idea how successful someone will be in sports or not, but it just appears that Jones has 2 things going for him.
A) Work ethic to get better.
B) A role to step up to be a scoring threat behind Harper, Baker, Hyatt/Cliff.....if Jacob Young and Mathis were still here, there would be far fewer opportunities to play, grow and showcase your skill sets.
It not going to be handed to Jaden, he's going to have to earn it......but you earn it by putting in the work, where your teammates, coaches can see it and that matters when you are a younger player.
seriously. He may be a great player, but that video was useless. You can make me look good in that kind of video
If Jones isn’t contributing offense this year in a big way our offense may be in serious trouble.
I believe he will though. Hyatt and Jones are big pieces. Really needed Hyatt last year in a big big way.
Jones is also critical for our future success based on recruiting to date. If he were for some reason not live up to expectations it would spell trouble. Again, I don’t think that’s the case.
I hope you're right, but I think it's a lot to ask of a freshman (basically) who is 6'8" to play guard in the B10. Not only would he have to defend smaller guys, but he'd have to be a decent passer and decision maker on offense, and, on top on that, score around 10 points a game for him to meet the expectations of many. I actually think he would be more suited to small forward and would have less competition for PT.