Can DeQuan Jones be Miami's Difference Maker?

By Kartik Krishnaiyer
Canes Rising Staff

DeQuan Jones was according to every major recruiting service the best High School Basketball player signed by Miami since Darius Rice in 2000. But the hype aside, Jones has not lived up to the lofty expectations thus far this season. While fellow Atlanta H.S. star Chris Singleton has blossomed into an impact player immediately for Leonard Hamilton's Florida State Seminoles, Jones has looked raw and completely outclassed early in his Miami career.

But last week at Madison Square Garden in front of a national TV audience, Jones had his first big impact on a game all year in a Miami victory over St John's. (St John's beat #10 Notre Dame today) Jones was 1-7 from the field but was a defensive stopper and was able to create chances for his team mates off the dribble that afternoon. This week, Jones scored eight and looked lively in a fifty plus point victory over North Florida and hit double figures for the first time in his Miami career in today's win over North Carolina Central.

Jones combines uncanny athleticism with lock down defense. The biggest issue with Jones thus far as a Hurricane has been his inability to finish chances close to the basket and his poor jump shooting. Today against N.C. Central, Jones hit three mid-range stand still shots as well as a dunk. In addition Jones appears to be more poised in transition than he was earlier in the season.

Problems with turnovers and decision making plagued Jones earlier this season, but now he has been able to be use his athleticism to slow the game down, and make an impact on the glass. Additionally the spurt of energy Jones is giving the Canes off the bench in the last three games has been important in settling down the team during rough stretches. Much like Jimmy Graham and Ray Hicks provided last season, this "energy play"will be a critical part of Miami's formula for ACC success this year.

Jones could be an important piece of the puzzle as Miami attempts to make the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year. Successful freshman in Basketball either struggle early before improving the same season or make a big impact early but seldom do they show nothing all season as freshman and then suddenly make an impact as a Sophomore. In other words, Jones needed to show something this season, and he seems well on his way to doing so.