With the departure of Mike Smith from the 2020-2021 team, Juwan Howard’s Michigan Wolverines will have a new starting point guard this upcoming season, and there are several candidates, starting with the likely front-runner, DeVante’ Jones.
Jones transferred in from Coastal Carolina, where the 6-foot-1, 200-pound New Orleans native averaged 19.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting nearly 50% from the field.
With a stocky build, maturity beyond his years and plenty of big game experience, Jones could be the answer for the Wolverines at the point guard position — if he doesn’t play his way into the NBA first, anyway.
While Jones didn’t receive an invite to the official NBA Draft combine, he is currently busy showing off his skills at the NBA G-League Elite Camp, along with last year’s prized transfer for the Juwan Howard’s program, Chaundee Brown.
Recently, footage has surfaced of Jones on the hardwood, dueling against some of the top young prospects whose games still need a little work before heading off to the Association.
In the first clip, Jones shows off one of the most advanced parts of his game, the floater, from a distance that can only be described as something that must be seen to be believed.
Devante Jones with the deep floater from the free throw line pic.twitter.com/I2lr8RmK8h
— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) June 21, 2021
In the second clip, Jones can be seen inching his way closer to the basket this time around, hitting paydirt on yet another floater against top level competition.
The good news is that Jones seems to be erasing doubts that he’s capable of playing with the best of the best. On the flipside, Jones could bolt for the NBA Draft or try to catch on as a free agent if he continues to play this well.
Either way, he reportedly has been in close contact with Howard, who has encouraged him and told him to keep following his path, regardless of whether he ends up in Ann Arbor or the NBA.
We’re going to see a lot of DeVante’ Jones’ (@3DevanteJ) floater next season at Michigan if he withdraws from the draft. Was deadly at Coastal Carolina, and it appears he can get it off against high-level competition as well pic.twitter.com/s99qhxe3dh
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) June 20, 2021
Jones is one of four Wolverines currently taking part in the action, alongside Smith, Brown, and Big Ten Freshman of the Year Hunter Dickinson.
The Coastal Carolina transfer reportedly has a smooth handle and uses his strength to get to the bucket moreso than his speed, according to The Wolverine.
His stated goal is to get to the NBA Draft Combine, but that’s a toss-up right now as scouts ponder whether he has the athletic ability and size to get drafted just yet.
Meanwhile, Jones is projected as the Wolverines’ starting point guard next year, should he decide to stay in college.
If that does end up happening, it appears as if Howard and his staff have clearly gotten a good one.
