Sacramento Kings pick Xavier’s Colby Jones in Round 2 of NBA draft. Here’s how he fits
Colby Jones used a key word when talking about his offensive game that might endear him to the Sacramento Kings.
“I would just say being a connector on offense,” Jones said after a pre-draft workout with the Portland Trailblazers.
That might be why the Kings traded up four spots from No. 38 to No. 34 in a deal with the Boston Celtics to select Jones early in Round 2 of Thursday’s NBA draft. Jones is a 6-foot-6 guard and wing defender who provides backcourt depth and athleticism.
The Kings deploy a pace-and-space style offense that values passing, playmaking and shooting. Jones appears to check those boxes. He’s an older prospect, coming out at age 21 after three years at Xavier. He’s considered a good defender who could guard backcourt players and forwards.
When elaborating on his game, Jones’ words sounded in tune with what head coach Mike Brown says about what he looks for in players.
“I would just say my motor and my hustle,” Jones said. “I feel like I make a lot of hustle plays and I feel like that translates regardless of where you play. Just being able to guard on defense and being a team defensive player.”
Observers compare Jones to other versatile guards like Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo and Malcolm Brogdon, offering rebounding and defensive versatility, areas the Kings could improve after finishing the regular season ranked 24th in defensive efficiency and allowing Stephen Curry to score 50 points in their decisive Game 7 loss in the first round of the playoffs.
DiVincenzo, of course, was added by Kings GM Monte McNair in a midseason trade in 2022 and has been an 18-minute player during three playoff runs for the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors.
“I think with Colby, especially as you watch the playoffs, the guys that are versatile, they can do a lot of different things on the floor because you don’t know what’s going to be thrown at you,” McNair said. “Colby showed that at Xavier during his three years as he took on an even bigger role. And I have no doubt that he’ll be able to figure that out at the next level.”
Jones could offer the Kings depth in the backcourt and on the wing while Harrison Barnes and Terence Davis are slated for unrestricted free agency. Reserve point guard Matthew Dellavedova is returning to Melbourne United in Australia after one season with Sacramento.
Jones had his best season as a junior for the Muskateers in 2022-23, averaging 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists. He shot a career-high 37.8% on 3-pointers, up from 30.3% from his first two seasons. He was named a second-team All-Big East player.
Jones is from Birmingham, Alabama, where he was the state’s 2020 7A Player of the Year while leading Mountain Brook to a state championship and 32-3 record.
This story was originally published June 22, 2023 at 9:30 PM.
