Baylor/Duncanville's Jones III declares NBA draft

Baylor sophomore Perry Jones III of Duncanville and a former All-VYPE team member, formally announced Monday afternoon he’ll opt for the NBA draft. Jones returned for his sophomore season after being a projected a top-five pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

The 6-11, 235-pounder averaged 13.5 points and 7.6 rebounds in 33 games and helped lead Baylor to the Elite Eight before being eliminated by eventual champion Kentucky in a regional final.

“I want to thank Baylor Nation for an unbelievable two years,” Jones III said in a statement released by the school. “Baylor will always be a second home to me and I look forward to spending a lot of time in Waco and working towards finishing my degree. Thanks again to all the great Baylor fans for accepting me into your family.”

Jones showed promise at Baylor but never was dominating during Baylor’s season. NBA analysts like his athleticism, ability to catch, run and shoot but predict Jones will have to gain weight and be much more physical to emerge in the NBA. Baylor coach Scott Drew was quoted often during the season that expectations for Jones were set at the “player he is going to be when he’s 25.”

Drew said he expected Jones to meet those expectations but needed the time to continue development.

Jones was a standout at Duncanville and played in 33rd McDonald's All-American Game in April 2010. He also played at Woodrow Wilson before transferring. Jones played on the Dallas summer league team (SeaWolves) which was sponsored by former Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode, who also was a standout basketball player at Houston's North Shore High School. Gurode attended Jones' national letter of intent signing ceremony with Baylor at Fretz Recreation Center in Richardson in November, 2009.