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 26Tulsa7:00 PM
SECN+
Sat, Oct 3@ Texas A&MTBA
Sat, Oct 10TennesseeTBA
Sat, Oct 17@ VanderbiltTBA
Sat, Oct 31vs MissouriTBA
Sat, Nov 7@ AuburnTBA
Sat, Nov 14South CarolinaTBA
Sat, Nov 21@ TexasTBA
Sat, Nov 28vs LSUTBA

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

OVERALLRecordPts
1.Bentonville (12)2-01651
2.Conway2-11352
5.Shiloh Christian (3)3-01275
4.Bentonville West (1)3-01094
3.Benton1-1733
6.Bryant (1)0-3696
8.Searcy2-0658
7.Joe T. Robinson2-0647
9.North Little Rock3-0599
10.Fayetteville2-120
Others receiving votes: Greenwood 11, Sylvan Hills 9, Springdale Har-Ber 5, Farmington 5, HS Lakeside 5, Pulaski Academy 4, Mountain Home 3, Greenbrier 2, Sheridan 2, El Dorado 2, Stuttgart 1.
CLASS 7A
1.Bentonville (12)2-0801
2.Conway2-1562
5.Shiloh Christian (3)3-0464
4.Bentonville West (1)3-0393
3.Bryant (1)0-3233
Others receiving votes: North Little Rock 10, Pulaski Academy 1.
CLASS 6A
1.Benton (9)1-1731
Searcy (8)2-0732
3.Sylvan Hills2-1373
4.El Dorado3-024
5.Mountain Home2-1235t
Others receiving votes: Sheridan 13, Van Buren 10, Jonesboro 2.
CLASS 5A
1.Joe T. Robinson (14)2-0811
2.Greenwood (2)1-2522
3.Greenbrier2-0433
5.Farmington3-0334
4.Hot Springs Lakeside (1)2-124
Others receiving votes: LR Parkview 12, Valley View 6, Jacksonville 4.
CLASS 4A
1.Stuttgart (12)3-0721
2.Elkins (3)2-0512
3.Nashville (1)3-0493
4.Gosnell3-0185
5.Gravette (1)2-017
Arkadelphia2-117
Others receiving votes: Ozark 12, Fountain Lake 7, Hamburg 7, Bauxite 3, Lonoke 1, Pottsville 1.

CLASS 3A
1.Fordyce (10)1-1671
2.Bismarck (1)2-1444
3.Rivercrest (1)2-036
4.Smackover (2)2-025
5.Glen Rose1-2233
Others receiving votes: Mansfield 21, Prescott (3) 18, Walnut Ridge 14, Palestine-Wheatley 3, Quitman 2, Newport 1, Cedarville 1.
CLASS 2A
1.Mount Ida (14)3-0811
2.Junction City1-2401
3.Baptist Prep (1)2-0313
4.Bigelow2-117
5.Gurdon2-1135
Others receiving votes: Earle (1) 12, East Poinsett County (1) 12, Hector 12, Dierks 11, Poyen 8, Hazen 6, Des Arc 6, Marked Tree 3, Carlisle 2, Bearden 1.
8-MAN SANCTIONED
1.Cedar Ridge (5)3-0252
2.Corning (6)3-0221
3.Magazine (1)1-07
Woodlawn1-173
Others receiving votes: Izard County 5, Rose Bud 4, Strong 3.