This is the sixth in a series of evaluations of players who might be available to the 76ers when they make the 15th overall selection in the NBA Draft on June 28. Included are the views of two scouts, who spoke under the condition of anonymity.
Terrence Jones, Forward, Kentucky, 6-10252
The raw numbers
Averaged 12.3 points and 7.2 rebounds for the national champions last season, while making exactly half his shots from the field and 62.7 percent of his attempts at the foul line. As a freshman the season before he scored (15.7 ppg) and rebounded (8.8 rpg) more. That year he shot 44.2 percent from the floor and 64.6 percent at the foul line.
The upside
Can fill either forward spot, and stretch the floor with his shooting. Also a willing defender; blocked nearly two shots a game in his time at Kentucky.
The downside
Jack of all trades, master of none. Do the Sixers need another guy whose role is ill-defined?
The scouts take
Scout One: Hes the tweener in this draftso good at so many things, and not great at anything. Might have gotten too big. You look at him on top, and hes got a lot of muscle, and that kind of forced his shot to change a little bit. Didnt shoot the ball particularly well. But I think hes a game player. Doesnt look good in drills, but really knows how to play and he loves to play. I think he had a lot of fingerprints on that national championship.
Scout Two: Kind of a bastard size. Wants to be a 3 (i.e., small forward), but hes really effective as a 4 (i.e., power forward). Hes got great dribble skills. When bigs try to defend him, thats what he wants: Come play me on the perimeter, and Ill go by you. He gets exposed a little bit in the post, because hes a little undersized. Hes a good athlete, not a great athlete. The buzzword in the NBA is, is he a spread 4? Well, spread 4s have to be able to make 3s. Hes not (Knicks sharpshooter) Steve Novak. But from 15, 16 feet, he can make that shot. So hes still going to drag the defense to the perimeter. And he can rebound, he can pass. I think hes a really talented player. At 15, for me, thats a no doubt about it.
Previous scouts' takes: Austin RiversTyler ZellerJohn Henson
Arnett MoultriePerry Jones III
Gordie Jones is an award-winning journalist who has worked in the Philadelphia market for 29 years. He also co-authored a book about the 76ers' 1982-83 championship team with former Sixers general manager Pat Williams.