Indiana Pacers Rookie Kam Jones on Playing Center in High School and His Journey to the NBA

Kam Jones's Path to Marquette

• 🏀 Growing up in Memphis, Kam Jones experienced a strong local basketball scene with players who went on to college and the pros.
• 🤝 His recruitment to Marquette was facilitated by his high school coach's connection to a Marquette staff member, leading to a team camp visit.
• ⏳ Marquette recruited him for about a year before offering, and Jones committed a week later, knowing it was his desired destination.

High School Center Experience

• 🤯 Jones surprisingly played center during his senior year of high school, being the tallest player on the floor.
• 🛠️ He practiced big man drills daily, which surprisingly translated to developing effective jump hooks and spin moves in his college game.
• 🔄 While he played some point guard duties, he primarily brought the ball up after rebounds and was a target for post-ups, despite being a guard.

Transition to NBA Point Guard

• 🚀 The journey from playing center in high school to becoming an NBA point guard is highlighted as a remarkable and unexpected path.
• 📈 His experience playing multiple positions, including center, is credited with helping him become a better rebounder, improve his court vision, and expand his game, particularly scoring in the paint.
• 🗣️ Jones acknowledges that his high school center role might have contributed to Marquette's year-long recruitment process.

College and Boxing Interests

• 🌟 Marquette's coach, Shaka Smart, is described as a player's coach who encouraged aggressive scoring from Jones.
• 🥊 Outside of basketball, Jones developed a love for boxing through his father's fandom, eventually training under Coach Angel in Milwaukee.
• 🥊 He expresses admiration for fighters like Errol Spence and discusses promising young boxers, while also noting the importance of fighters facing top competition.