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| (AP Photo/Rod Aydelotte) |
and new to be excited about this upcoming season. This year has something very different happening than in years past.
No, we’re not talking about the absence of Bruce Pearl pacing the sidelines in his heinous, armpit stained suits. We’re talking about the prospect of the best young players returning to their teams as opposed to jumping ship for the NBA Draft. Several marquee freshman, that would have had little trouble finding roles on NBA squads, decided to ignore the millions of dollars they could be making instead to pursue a National Championship.
Okay, maybe the very likely scenario of a lockout looming had a little something to do with it too. Regardless, the best underclassmen players in the nation are returning to their squads and will contribute to a season that should be overloaded with talent.
One of the players that could easily be waiting for the lockout to be lifted is Perry Jones of Baylor. The 6-foot-11 forward hopes to avoid a sophomore slump and take over the leading role for Baylor after the departure of LaceDarius Dunn. Jones was the second leading scorer (13.9 ppg) behind Big 12 Player of the Year, Dunn, and second on the team in rebounds as well. With his size and athleticism, Jones has the potential to be something very special; think Tracey McGrady, but almost seven feet tall. He has the body of a center, the shot of a forward, and the ball handling of a guard. Now that he doesn’t have seniors dominating the ball on offense, he has the chance to make it the Perry Jones Show down in Waco. If he can use his body better and put on a little more muscle, which shouldn’t be hard after a full year in a collegiate weight room, he could become unstoppable.
Keep an eye out for this kid, folks, he’s the real deal.
No, we’re not talking about the absence of Bruce Pearl pacing the sidelines in his heinous, armpit stained suits. We’re talking about the prospect of the best young players returning to their teams as opposed to jumping ship for the NBA Draft. Several marquee freshman, that would have had little trouble finding roles on NBA squads, decided to ignore the millions of dollars they could be making instead to pursue a National Championship.
Okay, maybe the very likely scenario of a lockout looming had a little something to do with it too. Regardless, the best underclassmen players in the nation are returning to their squads and will contribute to a season that should be overloaded with talent.
One of the players that could easily be waiting for the lockout to be lifted is Perry Jones of Baylor. The 6-foot-11 forward hopes to avoid a sophomore slump and take over the leading role for Baylor after the departure of LaceDarius Dunn. Jones was the second leading scorer (13.9 ppg) behind Big 12 Player of the Year, Dunn, and second on the team in rebounds as well. With his size and athleticism, Jones has the potential to be something very special; think Tracey McGrady, but almost seven feet tall. He has the body of a center, the shot of a forward, and the ball handling of a guard. Now that he doesn’t have seniors dominating the ball on offense, he has the chance to make it the Perry Jones Show down in Waco. If he can use his body better and put on a little more muscle, which shouldn’t be hard after a full year in a collegiate weight room, he could become unstoppable.
Keep an eye out for this kid, folks, he’s the real deal.
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