Latest news with #KamJones
Indianapolis Star
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Pacers' NBA Summer League schedule filled with playoff rematches
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers' NBA Summer League schedule will include three playoff rematches of sorts. Though few if any players who had significant role in the postseason series will be playing in Las Vegas, the Pacers summer squad will take on those of the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder, the Pacers' opponents in the Eastern Conference semifinals and finals and NBA Finals. The Pacers will also play the Bulls Summer League team, a rematch of playoff series in the distant past. Pacers draft grades: 'A pick destined to make Indiana look smart in a few years' and Round 2's 'biggest stunner' The Pacers open play against the Cavs on July 10 at 5 pm. ET in Las Vegas' Cox Pavilion in a game televised on NBA TV. They then play the Thunder on July 12 at 5:30 p.m., also at Cox Pavilion on NBA TV. They get the Bulls on July 14 at 6 p.m. at Cox Pavilion on ESPN U and then the Knicks at 4:30 p.m. July 17 on ESPN2 at the Thomas & Mack Center. They will play a fifth game either as part of the playoffs or in a consolation game between July 18-20. The Summer League schedule was released on Friday afternoon after the NBA draft concluded with the second round Friday. The Pacers chose Marquette guard Kam Jones with the No. 38 pick and Liberty guard Taelon Peter with the 54th pick. Both players almost certainly be part of the Pacers' Summer League roster as will East Carolina guard RJ Felton, Connecticut center Samson Johnson and Creighton guard Steven Ashworth, who signed undrafted free agent contracts likely to be Exhibit 10 deals on Thursday night. Of the Pacers' returning players, wing Johnny Furphy and forward Enrique Freeman are likely to take part in Summer League after spending their rookie seasons with the Pacers.
Indianapolis Star
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Pacers draft grades: 'A pick destined to make Indiana look smart in a few years' and Round 2's 'biggest stunner'
Despite not having a first-round pick, the Indiana Pacers seemed to do well for themselves in this week's NBA draft. At least that's what the draft grades say. The selection of Kam Jones at No. 38 was met with pretty much universal positive reaction. The Marquette guard can fill an immediate need as a third point guard with Tyrese Haliburton likely out for the 2025-26 season. The Taelon Peter pick at No. 54 was a curveball and produced some intrigue. Insider: How Kam Jones can answer Pacers' biggest backcourt question Who is Pacers' pick Taelon Peter? 'This is why the NBA draft is beautiful...' ∎ Kevin Pelton gives the Pacers an A, weighted obviously for only having second-round picks. "The Pacers have made one of my favorite second-round picks two years in a row. Unlike 2024 second-rounder Johnny Furphy, who played sparingly as a rookie at age 20, the 23-year-old Jones has more potential to contribute immediately. Indiana could use the guard help with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined after his heartbreaking Achilles rupture during Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Peter, who spent the bulk of his college career at D-II Arkansas Tech, is a fascinating swing. He's a guard who averaged just 1.0 APG as a fifth-year senior at Liberty, but why pass when you shoot 76% on 2s and 45% on 3s? I'm not sure that will translate, but at the 54th pick, there's no downside for Indiana." ∎ Yahoo! Sports' Kevin O'Connor graded by selection. He gave the Pacers at B for the Kam Jones pick at No. 34. "Tyrese Haliburton will be out for all of next season, but Jones could help handle some of the shot-creation responsibilities. Jones offers crafty combo guard skills with advanced shot creation and a blossoming playmaking feel. But his so-so athleticism and streaky shooting paint him as just a cog rather than the rare star upperclassman set to enter the league." He liked the Taelon Peter pick even more, giving it an A+. "Peter is a true sleeper who played three seasons in Division II at Arkansas Tech before transferring to Liberty, where he led the NCAA in true shooting percentage. He's a knockdown shooter from 3, and a crafty finisher around the rim. He wasn't expected to get drafted after not receiving an invite to any pre-draft competitions, yet here he is going to the Pacers. Considering the surprise and the story, Peter gets an A+." ∎ CBS Sports' Kyle Boone also graded by pick. If you're noticing a trend, he liked the Kam Jones selection, too. Giving in an A. "This is a pick destined to make Indiana look smart in a few years. I had a late first-round grade on Jones and love the on- and off-ball capabilities he showcased across four seasons at Marquette. He's more of a scoring guard than point guard and will fit nicely playing alongside a diverse set of shot-creators and shot-makers in Indiana." He wasn't so kind on the Taelon Peter pick, though, giving it a D. "This pick is completely out of left field and the biggest stunner of Round 2. I didn't have Peter ranked as a top-100 player in this class, though he led college hoops in true shooting percentage last season at Liberty and hit 45.3% of his 3s. You could call this a sleeper, I guess. But I'll call this a reach." ∎ Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey gave the Kam Jones pick a B+. "Jones doesn't quite ace the eye test (6-3, 202 lbs.), but he usually jumps off your streaming device. He is a fluid handler and decisive attacker who can score from every level but also offers ball security and a pinch of passing. "He probably won't be a positive presence on defense, though, so he needs all of his offensive tools to surface at the next level. You want to believe they will, but his three-ball abandoned him this past season (31.1%), and he's never been a reliable free-throw shooter (career 67.1%). "Of course, going to the Indiana Pacers means there might be some minutes available for Jones, too. Tyrese Haliburton's devastating Achilles injury in the Finals means the Pacers might be in a bit of a gap year, and Jones has a chance to establish himself as a role player earlier than he may have expected." Bailey grades the Taelon Peter pick a C+, but admits he's intrigued by it. "A sharpshooter for the Liberty Flames in 2024-25, Taelon Peter torched the nets with a 45.3 three-point percentage and led the entire NCAA in true shooting percentage. "Indiana has gained a reputation in recent years of being able to uncover hidden gems. Aaron Nesmith was a castoff from the Boston Celtics. Andrew Nembhard was a second-round pick. "And now, the Pacers have a chance to develop a three-point shooting specialist who was nowhere near anyone's radar heading into the draft. "It's a gutsy pick, but this is the right range for gutsy." ∎ For The Win's Charles Curtis ranked the Pacers' draft No. 18 among all teams, giving the team a C+. "Jones? Good pick. Peter? We'll see." ∎ The Score gave the Pacers' draft haul a B+. "Jones gives the Pacers a plug-and-play guard as they look to build on last season's Finals appearance. The Marquette product took the reins from Tyler Kolek and excelled in his first campaign running the point, posting the seventh-best assist-to-turnover ratio (3.17) and placing 16th in assists (200). With Tyrese Haliburton expected to miss all of next season, Jones gives Indiana another steady hand at the point."
Indianapolis Star
a day ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Following Tyrese Haliburton injury, Pacers draft point guard depth with Marquette's Kam Jones at No. 38
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers selected Marquette guard Kam Jones, a consensus second-team All-American last season, in the second round of the NBA draft on Thursday night with the No. 38 overall pick. Jones, a 6-4, 200-pound combo guard, played mostly shooting guard in his first three years at Marquette next to Tyler Kolek and handled point guard duties as a senior. He averaged 19.2 points, 5.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game this season, earning All-Big East honors for the second straight season and first-team honors for the first time. "I'm just ready to get to Naptown and get to work," Jones told ESPN's Monica McNutt after being selected. Jones gives the Pacers necessary backcourt help with All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton likely out for next season with an Achilles tendon tear. He can operate as a third-string point guard behind Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell and move off the ball when Haliburton returns. Jones is considered an excellent playmaker and rim finisher, though he is a bit of a streaky shooter. He made 40.6% of his 3-pointers as a junior (95 of 234) but just 31.1% as a senior (64 of 206). His defensive style fits the Pacers as he's willing to pick up ball-handlers full-court and apply pressure. He's likely limited to the point guard and shooting guard positions but has good size for those spots. The Pacers acquired the pick from the San Antonio Spurs in a trade Wednesday. They traded away their first-round pick -- the No. 23 overall pick -- last week to the New Orleans Pelicans to reacquire their 2026 first-round pick, which they originally sent to the Raptors to acquire Pascal Siakam. The Pacers still have the No. 54 pick in the draft. This story will be updated.
Indianapolis Star
a day ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Following Tyrese Haliburton injury, Pacers draft point guard depth with Marquette's Kam Jones at No. 38
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers selected Marquette guard Kam Jones, a second-team All-American last season, in the second round of the NBA draft on Thursday night with the No. 38 overall pick. Jones, a 6-4, 185-pound combo guard, played shooting guard in his first three years at Marquette next to Tyler Kolek and handled point guard duties as a senior. He averaged 19.2 points, 5.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game this season, earning All-Big East honors for the second straight season. Jones gives the Pacers necessary backcourt help with All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton likely out for next season with an Achilles tendon tear. He can operate as a third-string point guard behind Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell and move off the ball when Haliburton returns. This story will be updated.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Should the Boston Celtics take Marquette combo guard Kam Jones in the 2025 NBA draft?
Should the Boston Celtics take Marquette combo guard Kam Jones in the 2025 NBA draft? The Celtics have a pair of picks in the 2025 draft, one in the first round at No. 28 overall, and another early in the second round at No. 32 overall. That combination of picks could net them the sort of talent they will need if they do follow through on the rumored direction of dealing away vet guard Jrue Holiday to save money on a potentially historic tax bill. And Cam Jones would be far from the worst gamble for Boston to take with one of those picks to try to shore up their backcourt rotation in the event of a Holiday trade. A 6-foot-4 guard who stepped into a floor general role last season with Marquette and surprised many with his success in it, the 23-year-old prospect is a more known commodity who can likely help the Celtics in his rookie season -- or soon after. Advertisement The hosts of the CLNS Media "How Bout Them Celtics!" podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took some time on a recent episode of their show to talk it over. Check it out below! If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network: This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Should the Celtics take Kam Jones in the 2025 NBA draft?
