For somebody who wasn’t concerned within the Closing 4 on the courtroom, Haley Jones’ presence was nonetheless felt by these watching on tv.
The Stanford senior who declared for WNBA Draft was featured closely in ESPN’s commercials selling the draft, which she's going to attend Monday in New York Metropolis as an anticipated first-round decide.
However in what could also be a shock for a participant who was thought of the No. 1 general recruit nationally when she left highschool in 2019, there’s an opportunity that the two-time All-American will fall outdoors of the WNBA lottery (prime 4).
The primary cause is Jones’ battle to develop her leap shot. She made solely 3-of-32 3-pointers this previous season, and has gone 14-of-77 (18.2%) from deep in her final up to now two years.
It’s a stark distinction from Stanford’s magical run within the 2021 NCAA Event supplied some hope for progress, when Jones made 5-of-8 photographs from 3-point vary in main the Cardinal to the nationwide championship and being named Closing 4 Most Excellent Participant. The 6-foot-1 guard additionally shot and transformed rather more typically — 95-of-248 (38.3%) — when she performed at Archbishop Mitty-San Jose in highschool.
The regression over her time at Stanford is what issues WNBA executives and analysts.
“That’s what you hear from everyone … the crimson flag is the lack and the shortage of willingness by way of the 3-point line,” mentioned ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo in a pre-draft convention name this week. “I totally count on her to be on a roster this and getting minutes — she has so many nice qualities that translate to the WNBA. However by way of why she could have gone from a projected No. 2 decide to a little bit decrease than that, it’s the vary on her 3-point shot.”
A number of WNBA executives additionally expressed these issues in The Athletic’s nameless survey about draft-eligible gamers final month. It’s probably why, in mock drafts launched this week, each ESPN and The Athletic have Jones being taken with the No. 6 decide by the Atlanta Dream.
Brooke Weisbrod was ESPN’s coloration commentator for Stanford’s two NCAA Event video games this season and was there for Stanford’s second-round upset loss (which is the rationale why Jones was featured closely on ESPN’s early WNBA Draft commercials — presumptive No. 1 decide Aliyah Boston hadn’t declared but as a result of she was nonetheless enjoying within the Closing 4). Weisbrod believes Jones’ sport is WNBA-ready even with out the jumper.
“I’m not that involved that she will’t hit 3s on the common proper now,” Weisbrod mentioned lately. “I feel that’s one thing that comes over time, you’ve simply received to get within the fitness center. And in addition, give your self a little bit grace. You don’t should have the whole sport coming in.”
Jones clearly is conscious of the perceived points along with her shot. Throughout the Closing 4 weekend, she posted a video on Instagram of her engaged on her 3-point shot with a basketball coach in Los Angeles.
Former Stanford wing & projected first-rounder, Haley Jones working with expertise coach Drew Hanlen.
(haley.jonesss/IG)Jones is a profession 21.7% shooter throughout her 4 collegiate seasons and might want to increase her shot profile on the subsequent degree. pic.twitter.com/ysIiD2OyjI
— Hunter Cruse (@HunterCruse14) March 31, 2023
She believes in her capability to take and make outdoors jumpers throughout follow, however admits she might need a psychological block as soon as she will get in a sport.
“I’m not as wired about it as many individuals make it out to be,” Jones mentioned lately on a podcast referred to as Locked On Ladies’s Basketball. “It’s simply going to return with time and me simply taking extra. For me, it’s like, if I take one in a sport and I miss, I’m carried out. I’m not doing it once more, simply because I get in my head about it. I feel it’s actually only a confidence factor for me.”
Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer mentioned she “would describe Jones as extra of a scorer than a pure shooter.” She referenced one other former Mitty star, Aaron Gordon, as a participant who was ready so as to add a 3-point shot on the skilled degree.
“Are there issues that every participant that’s drafted might want to work on? Sure,” VanDerveer mentioned this week. “Haley can do no matter she places her thoughts to. If she desires to be an incredible shooter, she will likely be.”
Past the shot, Jones has a flexible and various ability set that makes her a compelling WNBA prospect. She averaged 13.0 factors, 7.5 rebounds and three.4 assists per sport in her profession and brings a powerful presence on the defensive finish, too.
“She has unbelievable passing expertise, she’s extraordinarily versatile. She’s not a participant that you could put in a field,” VanDerveer mentioned. “She will play a number of positions, she’s a particularly clever participant, she understands the sport extraordinarily nicely. She has a whole lot of the intangible issues that you could’t educate.”
Weisbrod additionally sees a whole lot of these intangibles and flexibility, however truly sees Jones’ passing capability as an elite-level ability.
“That may be a reward and he or she’s received it,” Weisbrod mentioned. “Watch among the one-handers that she does — along with her lengthy nails, too. I’m identical to, ‘How? How do you do it?’ Some gamers make you get anxious while you watch them play, however she doesn't. She has a relaxing impact after I watch her play.”
She’ll should work to maintain that calming presence as the sport hurries up on the subsequent degree. However Jones is trying ahead to going quick.
“What’s so attractive in regards to the WNBA is the tempo — I've a lot enjoyable enjoying with pace, pushing and going,” Jones mentioned. “It’s going to be a little bit of a studying curve, but it surely’s one which I’m excited to tackle.”
