Alabama Basketball: Herbert Jones makes sensible move for his career

Alabama basketball, junior, Herbert Jones will submit his name for the NBA Draft. He joins teammates Kira Lewis Jr. and John Petty Jr.

Alabama basketball fans may be surprised but we doubt Herbert Jones’ decision surprised Nate Oats. The reason being, Jones, along with his two teammates does not plan to hire an agent. That decision will come after Draft evaluations are provided to the players. Being involved in the evaluation has no downside. Players need feedback to make good career decisions. Those found to have deficiencies can return to college play, knowing how they must improve.

What is problematic are player evaluations. NBA teams cannot do them now and that prohibition could last for a couple of months or longer. The NBA Draft is not until June 25. That date could slide. No one knows, including the NBA, if the league can finish the currently postponed season. Given that unknown, the NBA Combine and team pre-Draft workouts, may not happen this year.

Under-classmen, college players have until June 15 to withdraw their names and maintain college eligibility. Recently, Villanova head coach, Jay Wright said,

"To take it to an extreme, there’s a possibility that they (the NBA) may not have a pre-draft process. They might just have the draft with no workouts, just by using the evaluations they had during the season."

Most NBA teams may be comfortable with that scenario. But, some college players may be so uncomfortable, they choose to pass on the 2020 NBA Draft.

Would Herbert Jones be one of those uncomfortable players – or John Petty Jr? Only Kira Lewis Jr. has a strong chance of being drafted. Jones is an NBA-quality defensive player. His work ethic and attitude would be an asset to any NBA team and locker room. The very big question is, can he score enough at the professional level to claim a roster slot.

Jones has shot just 23 percent from outside the arc in his Crimson Tide career. His free throw shooting at 54.9 percent is another significant liability. If the NBA drafted on the basis of effort, Herbert Jones would be a Draft-lock. Big-body rim protectors and rebounders have a place in the NBA. Not many 6’7″ guys are drafted based on their defensive prowess.

What will the Crimson Tide trio do? Alabama basketball is almost assured to lose Kira. John Petty is also probably opting for professional basketball, in the NBA or not. Herbert Jones should be, and likely will be, in Crimson next season.