Is Colby Jones a Future NBA Player?

[Masterofreality]

You watch this kid play and see he does everything right. Decision making, ball handling, defense, making other guys better.
I submit that if he keeps working on his outside shot over the next year or two that he can make it. Naji Marshall kept working on his game & shot and surprised people.
I think Colby has a possibility.

[Xville]

Yes; just two things he needs to work on; a consistent outside shot, and his ball-handling. Effort, athleticism, rebounding are all there and scouts love that.

[bourbonman]

Of those on this squad he’s the only one I’ve seen has a shot.

[UCGRAD4X]

Of those on this squad he’s the only one I’ve seen has a shot.

His rebounding is impressive too. He seems to have a knack for anticipating and being in the right place. He's not really out-jumping anybody but great positioning.

[drudy23]

I don't think he will play in the NBA. He may be a G league guy because they love those kind of guys in the G league.

Two things lacking - outside shot and explosiveness. NBA athletes that stick are simply freaks of nature.

He's really a positionless player in the NBA. He's not a point guard, he doesn't shoot well enough to be a 2, and he's not big/long/athletic enough to be a wing.

[kxblue]

I think he definitely has a great shot. He's intelligent enough, i think he's working on the body. I think he needs to develop an expertise. Right now he cleans up all the junk but needs to really find something to hang hit hat.

If you go back and read draft profiles of Draymond Green, Colby sounds very similar without the prolific stats. Now its tough to project the Draymond's of the NBA, the guy became a defensive beast and basically developed his expertise after being drafted. But i definitely think teams will give him a shot. He just has to make the most of it.

I also think its kind of a case where Colby prob needs to assert himself more (like he did vs Creighton). If Naji had a little more Colby and Colby had a little more Naji, i think they both could be/have been late first round picks.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

I don't think he will play in the NBA. He may be a G league guy because they love those kind of guys in the G league.

Two things lacking - outside shot and explosiveness. NBA athletes that stick are simply freaks of nature.

He's really a positionless player in the NBA. He's not a point guard, he doesn't shoot well enough to be a 2, and he's not big/long/athletic enough to be a wing.

+1

Seems obvious to me he is not an NBA prospect.

[joe titan]

You watch this kid play and see he does everything right. Decision making, ball handling, defense, making other guys better.
I submit that if he keeps working on his outside shot over the next year or two that he can make it. Naji Marshall kept working on his game & shot and surprised people.
I think Colby has a possibility.

Sorry to go "old school" but reminds me of John Havlicek especially in the days where Hondo was 6th man.

[Xville]

I think he definitely has a great shot. He's intelligent enough, i think he's working on the body. I think he needs to develop an expertise. Right now he cleans up all the junk but needs to really find something to hang hit hat.

If you go back and read draft profiles of Draymond Green, Colby sounds very similar without the prolific stats. Now its tough to project the Draymond's of the NBA, the guy became a defensive beast and basically developed his expertise after being drafted. But i definitely think teams will give him a shot. He just has to make the most of it.

I also think its kind of a case where Colby prob needs to assert himself more (like he did vs Creighton). If Naji had a little more Colby and Colby had a little more Naji, i think they both could be/have been late first round picks.

Yep agreed here

He’s athletic enough this isn’t a case of bluiett where the guy just doesn’t have the god given ability…Colby has it, but he has to develop his skills a bit more—shooting, ball handling.

[Xavier]

I’d say it’s early to tell. He has a chance if he can get a better shot, his athleticism is good enough. At least it isn’t what holds him from the NBA like Tre.

I kinda thought Gates would get a call up. Never thought so when he left but he looked a lot stronger and had good highlight games last year. Thought he could get a 10 day try if he could play the 3

[drudy23]

We don't have any NBA guys on this roster. I know it's Xavier and your bias tricks you into making the case for them, but it's not in the cards.

Definitely some European pros, but no NBA guys.

[XUGRAD80]

We don't have any NBA guys on this roster. I know it's Xavier and your bias tricks you into making the case for them, but it's not in the cards.

Definitely some European pros, but no NBA guys.

Oh c’mon now….what about Tandy? :bash:

[drudy23]

Oh c’mon now….what about Tandy? :bash:

He'd honestly have the best shot because of his quickness and explosiveness....if he was 4-5 inches taller. Same with Dwon.

[D-West & PO-Z]

We don't have any NBA guys on this roster. I know it's Xavier and your bias tricks you into making the case for them, but it's not in the cards.

Definitely some European pros, but no NBA guys.

To be fair I don't think anyone would have thought JP Macura would ever play in the NBA during his sophomore season.

Naji always had that potential but never seemed to put it all together in college but got himself a 3 year contract.

Is it likely, Colby is NBA, no, could I see it happening, yes.

[profson]

You watch this kid play and see he does everything right. Decision making, ball handling, defense, making other guys better.
I submit that if he keeps working on his outside shot over the next year or two that he can make it. Naji Marshall kept working on his game & shot and surprised people.
I think Colby has a possibility.

“A shot” and “a possibility” is about right. Unlikely but not a definite no. Most people vastly overestimate the chances of a favorite college player. It is eye opening to look at drafts from 3-5 years ago and see how few past the first 15 are around.

[profson]

Sorry to go "old school" but reminds me of John Havlicek especially in the days where Hondo was 6th man.

I love Colby but would not have thought to compare him to Hondo who in 1980 was selected as one of the best 11 players in the NBA’s first 35 years.

[Lloyd Braun]

Colby has a shot but IMO his shot is at point guard. Draymond had a much bigger frame in college and “filled it in” nicely so that’s not a fair comparison. Very different games too. Colby has a smaller frame and putting weight on will be tough without causing injury. He’ll fill out some but if I were coaching him I would have him shoot 10,000 shots a day behind the arc. He could be a decent shooter and with all his intangibles that’s all he would need to make the league. His handle would need some work but it’s pretty solid now. When players are projected to a position in the NBA we tend to think about offense, but many NBA scouts look at defense first. Where does the player project to defend? Colby can guard 1-3 and that’s about it for the NBA. Going back to Draymond he was projected to guard 1-4 or 1-5 which has turned out to be accurate.

[drudy23]

Naji always had that potential but never seemed to put it all together in college but got himself a 3 year contract.



Scouts were enamored with two things with Naji - his length and athleticism. He literally got a contract to be a pesky long defender.

Any scoring he does is gravy, and his college stats were virtually meaningless.

[XUGRAD80]

Something to keep in mind is that Jones, Odom, Edwards, Tucker, Miles, and Edwards are all FRESHMAN eligibility wise. All of them could be here for another 3 years AFTER this year. A lot can change in that amount of time.

[xuphan]

I’d say it’s early to tell. He has a chance if he can get a better shot, his athleticism is good enough. At least it isn’t what holds him from the NBA like Tre.

I kinda thought Gates would get a call up. Never thought so when he left but he looked a lot stronger and had good highlight games last year. Thought he could get a 10 day try if he could play the 3

I think the next 24 months will answer the OPs question. I really like his game but he misses to many 3s for him to be considered an NBA type player as of right now. Hopefully he inproves his outside game.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Scouts were enamored with two things with Naji - his length and athleticism. He literally got a contract to be a pesky long defender.

Any scoring he does is gravy, and his college stats were virtually meaningless.

Now do JP......

You're making a declaration on Colby after 1.5 years of college ball. If you did the same for Naji and Macura you would have said the same thing.

Colby taller than JP, an inch shorter than Naji. He needs to get a lot better at several areas to have a shot but it is possible.

You are being just as unreasonable than anyone who thinks he for sure will make it. I never get why anyone makes absolute statements in the world of sports. There is a reason one of the most popular accounts on twitter is old takes exposed.

[drudy23]

Now do JP......

You're making a declaration on Colby after 1.5 years of college ball. If you did the same for Naji and Macura you would have said the same thing.

Colby taller than JP, an inch shorter than Naji. He needs to get a lot better at several areas to have a shot but it is possible.

You are being just as unreasonable than anyone who thinks he for sure will make it. I never get why anyone makes absolute statements in the world of sports. There is a reason one of the most popular accounts on twitter is old takes exposed.

It's just my opinion. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong - who cares. If I recall, I also said JP and Trevon won't play in the NBA. In saying that, I don't mean a couple of two way contracts, I mean a real contract and a few years in the league. JP and Tre haven't done that either, and I think both are better players than Colby.

Colby MIGHT do something similar, but I'd be very surprised if he ever gets a true multi-year contract.

[bleedXblue]

I think Colby has a shot, but he has to improve his jumper quite a bit.

[Xavier]

Saw on twitter The Athletics NBA draft senior writer/“draft expert” has Colby as the 41st best prospect for the NBA draft. The top prospect from the Big East. If he continues to play well I’d expect him to go to combines this year and declare (especially if the season goes down and X misses tournament forcing Steele to go).

Don’t expect him to sign an agent though, he will be back next year. Aren’t players allowed to declare now then take name out, or something?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Saw on twitter The Athletics NBA draft senior writer/“draft expert” has Colby as the 41st best prospect for the NBA draft. The top prospect from the Big East. If he continues to play well I’d expect him to go to combines this year and declare (especially if the season goes down and X misses tournament forcing Steele to go).

Don’t expect him to sign an agent though, he will be back next year. Aren’t players allowed to declare now then take name out, or something?

Impossible! Doesn't Sam Vecenie read the Xavier message boards!?

[xu82]

Colby has that certain “something” that most players do not. He has a knack for knowning where to be. It’s a gift.

Work on the shot, and I like his chances.

[Xavier]

I guess I’m not surprised he would be in that range, and frankly guys from 25 on will fluctuate quite a bit. I’m more surprised that he was rated the top prospect in the Big East. (Unless I’m overlooking someone while looking at his NBA big board) if I am, at the very least this guy has Colby as one of the top prospects in the Big East

[webxu]

I guess I’m not surprised he would be in that range, and frankly guys from 25 on will fluctuate quite a bit. I’m more surprised that he was rated the top prospect in the Big East. (Unless I’m overlooking someone while looking at his NBA big board) if I am, at the very least this guy has Colby as one of the top prospects in the Big East

Hard to believe they have him higher than Champagnie from St. Johns or Justin Lewis on Marquette, but nice work Colby!

[xukeith]

I don't see Colby's athleticism. He is smart, and long but he is not a alpha dog.
He is good at rebounding. Not a poor defender.

He is not explosive nor dripping with scoring threats.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I don't see Colby's athleticism. He is smart, and long but he is not a alpha dog.
He is good at rebounding. Not a poor defender.

He is not explosive nor dripping with scoring threats.

I think Colby has it in him. I think he defers too much to a 5th year senior in Scruggs.

I remember thinking the exact same thing of Scruggs as a sophomore.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I guess I’m not surprised he would be in that range, and frankly guys from 25 on will fluctuate quite a bit. I’m more surprised that he was rated the top prospect in the Big East. (Unless I’m overlooking someone while looking at his NBA big board) if I am, at the very least this guy has Colby as one of the top prospects in the Big East

You saw correctly, this guy has him as the top prospect in the BE.