Chicago Bulls: 5 draft prospects to watch in March Madness

Draft prospects to watch in March Madness No. 2: Kai Jones

Among fast rises up draft boards during the 2020-21 college hoops regular season, very few were more noteworthy than the Texas Longhorns breakthrough sophomore power forward and former four-star recruit Kai Jones. This versatile and physically gifted 6-foot-11 and 220 pound Nassau, Bahamas, native is about to enter one of the most critical stretches of his hoops career to date.

It was impressive to see Jones’ improve his game during the regular season for head coach Shaka Smart and this vastly improved Longhorns team. But Jones hasn’t seen postseason action thus far since the NCAA Tournament didn’t happen last year. It is good for the Longhorns, though, that he played well during their run to win the Big 12 Tournament.

If there were a most improved player award in the Big 12, it is very likely that Jones would’ve won those honors this year. He did win the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year Award, though, and received All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors.

Jones really became a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the floor so far this season. He’s averaged a much improved 15.6 points per 40 minutes, 8.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.5 blocks. And he shot 57.2 percent from the field, 39.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 68.6 percent from the free-throw line.

Texas has a three-seed in the NCAA Tournament and is set to face the 14-seed Abilene Christian Wildcats in the Round of 64 on the night of March 20.