Alabama’s Herb Jones Drafted 35 Overall By New Orleans
The wait is over, Herb Jones has been selected 35th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2021 NBA Draft. The 6'8"-210lb forward figures to aid in the defensive effort for the Pelicans as he did through four seasons with the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Jones was projected to be a mid-second-round pick throughout the draft process by analysts and fell right into the lap of the Pelicans at 35 early in the second round.
Jones joins his former teammate from Alabama, Kira Lewis, Jr., in New Orleans. Lewis was drafted in the lottery in last year's NBA Draft.
The Hale County High School product rose from a 3-star prospect into one of the most popular players in Tide hoops history. For his career, Jones averaged seven points, five rebounds and two assists per game in 129 games. However, his senior season, Jones turned into a true superstar averaging 11 points, six rebounds and three assists in 33 games.
Jones's defense was always the highlight of his game in Tuscaloosa. Sports Reference attributes Jones with 5.6 defensive win shares while acknowledging that six percent of opponent possessions ended in a steal or block while he was on the floor.
In 2020-21 he lead the SEC in steals with 57 and was top-10 in the SEC in defensive rebounds, blocks, assists and total points produced.
As for the awards, Jones hauled in plenty. He was twice named to the SEC All-Defense team in 2019-20 and 2020-21, All-SEC in 2020-21 and earned the 2020-21 SEC Defensive and Overall Player of the Year award in 2020-21. He was also a 2020-21 Naismith Award Finalist
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