2016 NBA Draft Prospects: Breaking Down NBA Future of Vanderbilt’s Damian Jones

Former Vanderbilt center Damian Jones will either make NBA general managers kick themselves for passing on him years from now or make the GM who did pull the trigger feel duped.

There aren’t a lot of guys running around with his combination of size and speed. In a weak 2016 draft class (particularly at the center position), Jones could be a worthy gamble who could eventually turn into a starting center.

“I think his potential is interesting because he has size and mobility, but he hasn’t put it all together yet,” an NBA scout told Bleacher Report.

Jones is a layup-line All-Star. He looks like a pro—a 7-footer with a chiseled frame and springy legs. “He’s a phenomenal runner,” a second scout told B/R. “He’s one of the fastest guys I’ve seen end-to-end.”

But that “hasn’t put it all together yet” part explains the hesitation.

The possibilities that type of athleticism presents have allowed Jones to be considered a first-round pick—maybe even lottery-bound—over the last two years.

But this past season his stock took a hit. Jones didn’t show any real development from his sophomore to junior season (in fact, his points per game went down a tick from 14.4 to 13.9).

Vandy had a potential-laden lineup that included Jones, Wade Baldwin IV (another likely first-round pick) and a third future pro prospect in 7’1″ skilled center Luke Kornet. Vandy surrounded that trio with a bunch of capable three-point shooters.

On paper, that was a top-10-caliber team. On the floor,  the Commodores were one of the most disappointing teams in college basketball, nearly missing the NCAA tournament. They made the play-in game, getting run off the court by Wichita State, and the season of mediocrity chased coach Kevin Stallings to Pittsburgh.

Jones’ size and athleticism still make him an intriguing option in the draft, but with measured optimism. Is he a project who will excel in the right environment? Or are Vandy’s struggles and his lack of development signs that he’ll flame out in the league?

Relevant Stats

While Jones was inconsistent scoring the ball, he did put up solid shooting numbers from the field. He was particularly strong finishing around the basket, making 75 percent of his attempts at the rim, per Hoop-Math.com.

Considering Jones’ athleticism and length, his rebounding and shot-blocking numbers are mediocre. Compared to those of some of the other top center prospects, he ranks on the low end in both.

Vandy’s opponents had an effective field-goal percentage of 43.1, which ranked second nationally, according to KenPom.com. When evaluating a rim protector, it is a bit shortsighted to only look at shot-blocking numbers. And as the best interior defender on the team, …

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