The NBA Finals have not even begun but it is already time for most of the league to start preparing for next season. The lottery will be held on May 12th, the final deadline for early entry withdrawal is June 16th, and the draft will take place on June 26th/27th. We will spend the next several weeks interviewing as many members of this year’s draft class as possible. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel commences our coverage by chatting with Stanford G Michael Jones about being a great 3-PT shooter and what it would mean to him to get drafted.
You were born/raised in Minnesota: why did you decide to begin your college career at Davidson? It was the 1st/only visit I took. I felt a great connection with the guys/coaches/school and it was perfect for me.
In the 2022 NCAA tourney you scored 8 PTS in a 1-PT loss to Michigan State: how close did you come to pulling off the upset? That is 1 that I wish we could have back: we had a lead in the 2nd half but they made a run at the end. We were very close: I thought we had a decent chance to make a good run that year.
Why did you decide to transfer, and what made you choose Stanford (becoming the school’s 1st transfer player since 2009)? It was a multitude of things that led to me transferring: the chance to go to grad school, see new horizons, etc. It was a good decision and Stanford stood out to me in terms of the academics.
You scored a career-high 31 PTS in your Stanford debut against Pacific, which is the highest-scoring debut ever by a Stanford player: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? I felt good that night. We were missing some guys (including Spencer Jones) but I was able to get going early and maintain that throughout the game. I also got to the FT line a lot (10-12).
You are 6’5” but have a 7-foot wingspan: how much of an advantage is your length on the court? It is a very big advantage. I can be active on defense, use different passing angles, and shoot over defenders.
You are a career 39.4% 3-PT shooter: what is the secret to making shots from behind the arc? There is not any secret: it is just about getting reps in the offseason and during the season. You need to take good shots and have the confidence to make them.
You are a 2-time Academic All-American: how do you balance your work on the court with your work in the classroom? College students have an immense amount of time on their hands. Extra-curriculars cut into that time, but I try to allocate it well so that I can do what is needed to succeed in class.
Your school will be joining the ACC this summer: any thoughts on conference realignment? It is going to be weird seeing teams like Cal/Stanford in the ACC. There are good and bad parts: travel will be tough but it will lead to some better competition with top-tier opponents every week.
Coach Kyle Smith was named 2024 conference COY at Washington State: how do you think he will do as the new Cardinal coach (replacing your former coach Jerod Haase)? I have talked to Coach Smith a couple of times and seen him in the gym with the guys. I think they will do a great job next year and hopefully be successful.
What would it mean to you to get drafted, and what is the plan if you do not get drafted? Being drafted would be a life-defining moment…but it is not do-or-die. I have faith that my basketball career will continue so I am just looking forward to it.