A CRAFTY combo guard who has an excellent feel for the game, can generate plenty of offence and has developed as a playmaker, Marquette’s Kam Jones has made his case for first round selection at the 2025 NBA Draft.

The way Jones moves on the court, it would be easy to mistake him for an NBA veteran, such is the excellence of his shot creation. His biggest strength on this front is his ability to finish at the rim, although he has shown the ability to function as a spot up shooter as well.

Although not the most eye-catching athlete, and his off-the-dribble and free throw shooting will need some work, he still looms as a readymade NBA prospect, and will be able to make an immediate impact off the bench.

For the Marquette Golden Eagles this season, the 23-year-old averaged 19.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks on 48.3 per cent shooting from the field, including a strong finish to the regular season where he averaged 28 points per game in his last three.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will run through some of the clearest comparisons to already established NBA talents, with Jones’ ability to finish at the rim combined with his playmaking making him look quite similar to some strong guards.

Malik Monk – Sacramento Kings

Both Monk and Jones have developed their playmaking over the past 12 months, adding to the similarities in their game. Monk was selected with the 11th overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, and after a short stint in Los Angeles with the Lakers, he signed with the Kings where he has emerged as a star of the competition. He is most known for scoring a career-high 45 points in 2023, which showcased how explosive his scoring can be. With the departure of De’Aaron Fox, Monk shifted into the point guard role, and became much more productive as a playmaker. Both players are excellent at putting pressure on the rim for their size, and can pass out of downhill drives tremendously, so there is a fair bit in common between the two.

Donte DiVincenzo – Minnesota Timberwolves

A key piece of a contending Timberwolves side, DiVincenzo has forged an excellent career in the NBA to date, and Jones is developing in a similar matter. He joined the Milwaukee Bucks with the 17th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, and won a championship with the team in 2021, although injuries prevented him from playing anytime after the first round of the playoffs. He then played with the Kings, Warriors, Knicks and now Timberwolves. He can play both guard positions, and like Jones, can create his own shot, making them both valuable contributors late in the shot clock, so the Wolves guard has demonstrated there is a role in the NBA for this player archetype.

Tyrese Haliburton – Indiana Pacers

Although his playmaking is not as developed as Haliburton, Jones certainly has similar shot creation and downhill scoring abilities to the star point guard. The 12th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Haliburton joined the Sacramento Kings, but was traded to the Pacers as a part of the Domantas Sabonis trade, and has become the face of the franchise. His transformation into a star has turned the Pacers’ fortunes around, and he has taken the team to the Eastern Conference Finals, and has ensured the team is in title contention this season. Although Haliburton is certainly a more gifted playmaker, the eye test draws similarities in the way they move with ball in hand, and if Jones can become just as damaging at NBA level, it will see him become a star of the competition.