Jones chooses to follow dream, declaring he’s available for NBA Draft

Mason Jones’ dream, he says, is to play in the NBA and he announced via Twitter on Friday morning he’s putting his name into the group for the draft … whenever that is held this summer.

The global health pandemic has put all of that in question, but Jones seemed pretty clear his decision has been made after winning Player of the Year honors in the SEC after leading the league in scoring.

“This has been a lifelong dream of mine to play in the NBA so I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my life,” Jones said in the Twitter post.

Declaring eligibility is one thing. Getting picked for one of just 60 spots in the two-round draft is another.

ESPN’s draft ranking has him at No. 80 and the chances will be limited to immediately improve his standing. The NBA’s season has been suspended over the health pandemic and that includes any meetings with prospects or workouts.

The deadline to pull out of the draft and go back to college is also up in the air.

His senior year had some pretty impressive stats, averaging 22 points a game and shared Player of the Year honors with Mississippi State’s Reggie Perry and was named an honorable mention All-American by The Associated Press.

Jones was unanimously picked for the All-SEC first team by the coaches and media.

If he’s not selected for the draft his options will be to play out of the country or go to the NBA’s G-league.

RAZORBACK FOOTBALL

Sat, Sep 5vs North AlabamaW 31-14
Sat, Sep 12@ UtahL, 43-10
Sat, Sep 19GeorgiaL, 45-17
Sat, Sep 26TulsaW 34-6
Sat, Oct 3@ Texas A&ML, 34-7
Sat, Oct 10TennesseeL, 24-17
Sat, Oct 17@ VanderbiltW 31-21
Sat, Oct 31vs MissouriL, 34-10
Sat, Nov 7@ Auburn11:45 AM
SEC Network
Sat, Nov 14South Carolina6:45 PM
SEC Network
Sat, Nov 21@ TexasAfternoon
2:30-3:30 PM
Sat, Nov 28vs LSUEarly Kickoff
11:00 AM-Noon

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

OVERALLRecordPts
1.Conway (13)8-11801
2.Shiloh Christian (4)8-11542
3.Bentonville (2)8-11383
4.Joe T. Robinson9-01205
5.North Little Rock8-11096
6.Sheridan9-0807t
7.Bentonville West7-2737t
8.Springdale Har-Ber6-3664
9.Greenwood7-2519
10Van Buren8-119—
Others receiving votes: Bryant 17, Benton 8, LR Christian 8, Mountain Home 6, Stuttgart 5, Searcy 4, LR Mills 2, Nashville 2, Rogers 2, Farmington 1.
CLASS 7A
1.Conway (13)8-1851
2.Shiloh Christian (4)8-1692
3.Bentonville (2)8-1554
4.North Little Rock8-1395
5.Springdale Har-Ber6-3183
Others receiving votes: Bentonville West 15, Bryant 4.
CLASS 6A
1.Sheridan (19)9-0951
2.Benton6-3563
3.Van Buren8-1544t
4.Searcy7-2394t
5.Mountain Home (2)7-2381
Others receiving votes: Sylvan Hills 2, Lake Hamilton 1.
CLASS 5A

1.
Joe T. Robinson (18)9-0941
2.Greenwood (1)7-2762
3.Little Rock Mills8-140
—
4.Farmington8-1294
5.Jacksonville7-2233
Others receiving votes: LR Mills 8, HS Lakeside 4, Greenbrier 1.
CLASS 4A
1.Stuttgart (17)8-0771
2.Nashville (2)8-0642
3.Ozark8-0373
4.Elkins7-1194
5.Lonoke7-114—
Others receiving votes: Southside Batesville 9, Fountain Lake 9, Gravette 5, Highland 4, Arkadelphia 1.

CLASS 3A
1.Mansfield (11)8-2771
2.Prescott (3)8-1664
3.Fordyce (2)6-232—
4.Atkins (1)8-128—
5.Smackover7-2233
Bismarck7-2235
Others receiving votes: Walnut Ridge 19, Newport (2) 14, Rivercrest 2, Lake Village 1.
CLASS 2A
1.Baptist Prep (9)9-0832
2.Mount Ida (10)9-0801
3.Earle8-1503
4.Gurdon7-2404
5.Marked Tree7-2265
Others receiving votes: Magnet Cove 2, Des Arc 2, Hazen 2.
8-MAN SANCTIONED
1.Corning (7)7-0291
Cedar Ridge (4)8-0292
3.Magazine (3)8-0223
Others receiving votes: Izard County 3.