Is Duke's Tyus Jones A Top NBA Prospect? Why Not?

When Duke takes the floor later tonight to face Michigan State in the Final Four, one of the team's keys to victory will be the play of freshman point guard Tyus Jones. The Most Outstanding Player of the South Region, Jones engineers Duke's potent offensive attack. He's a playmaker with the ball in his hands, whether it is creating shots for himself or others. He's stepped up tremendously in a number of his team's biggest games this season, and he doesn't get rattled, no matter the situation. If Duke wins tonight, Jones will undoubtedly play a major role in the victory.

Jones is an interesting case, because unlike Duke's other fantastic freshmen (Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow), he isn't a near-lock to bolt Durham after one season. Despite his ample skills and his performance this season, Jones is not a top NBA prospect right now for a couple of reasons, most notably concerns about his athleticism and size.

Jones' listed measurements (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) are small by NBA standards, and he appears shorter and thinner than those numbers indicate. This leaves him susceptible to being overpowered by bigger guards at the next level and could hinder his ability to create on offense. He's certainly a fine athlete, but not overly fast or quick, which will likely hamper him against elite athletes in the NBA. His on-ball defense also needs to be refined. 

Right now, Jones is projected as a likely late-first round, early second round pick should he leave early. Another year in Durham could bolster his stock, and he's definitely a future pro, just not one of the top prospects this year.