Solomon Jones Completes First NBA Season

[Brad]

Courtesy USF SID

SOLOMON JONES COMPLETES SUCCESSFUL NBA ROOKIE CAMPAIGN

FORMER USF STANDOUT APPEARED IN 58 GAMES FOR THE ATLANTA HAWKS

Tampa, Fla. (April 24, 2007) – Former University of South Florida men’s basketball player Solomon Jones recently completed his rookie campaign in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlanta Hawks.

“I was really happy with my first year and I can’t see it having gone much better,” Jones said.  “I learned a lot and was tested throughout the year.”

Jones appeared in 58 games for the Hawks, earning eight starting assignments.  He averaged 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game while shooting 50.8 percent from the field and 78.7 percent from the charity stripe in 11.5 minutes per outing.  He was the only rookie in the league to block five-or-more shots in more than one game, a feat he accomplished three times.

“The biggest adjustment was the travel,” Jones said.  “Moving from city to city every night and going home just to leave again was difficult to get used to early in the season.”

Jones posted a season-best 14 points on two occasions and grabbed a personal-high 10 rebounds at Sacramento in mid-December.  He concluded the year ranked 13th in the NBA in blocks per 48 minutes (3.03).  He has already started to focus on next season, looking to improve his numbers across the board.

“I need to put some weight on and improve my footwork and speed,” Jones said.  “If I can defend multiple positions and get the rhythm back in my offensive game, I will be able to make a bigger contribution.”

The Mount Dora, Fla., native was a two-year letterwinner for the Bulls and earned All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention accolades in 2005-06.  The  Hawks drafted Jones 33rd overall in the 2006 NBA Draft, making him the highest selection in USF history.

Jones, along with Chucky Atkins of the Memphis Grizzlies, are the only two USF alums to be currently featured on an NBA roster.

[Velcro]

not too bad stats for a rookie, avg 11 minutes.

If you spread those stats out over 40 minutes, they are comparable enough to be above average.

3.3 pts --->  12 pts per 40 minutes

2.3 reb ---> 8 reb per 40 minutes

Future looks bright for SoJo.

[flsportsfan83]

48 mins in the NBA

[Velcro]

oops, good catch LOL

you can tell i'm a college hoops fan.

That makes his numbers even more impressive.

14.4 pts per 48 mins

9.6 reb per 48 mins

[Herman_Momart]

Great for Solomon.  I've been watching him on the nba package pretty much all year (i know its sad when you watch atlanta hawks games on tv).  I hope he gets moved to a better team and becomes a role player on a team like the Spurs.  Popovich loves defensive hard working players like Sol.  Of course this is wishful thinking.    

[Velcro]

I'll take his time on the Hawks as a blessing.  He wouldn't have been playing this season on very many teams.  This was the perfect situation for him to give him a chance at some staying power.

One more year there (assuming they don't get oden or durant) and then his stock should be decent enough to make a more talented roster as a role player.

If somehow atlanta wins oden or durant, i can see SoJo being the casualty of that situation.   They already have Marvin Williams, Pachulia, Sheldon Williams, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith.  Add in another player Sojo's size or bigger, that is better on Either end of the floor, and Jones would be the one bumped, at least at this point.

[Herman_Momart]

Thats true.  the good thing is IF the Hawks dont get the lottery ball for one of the first 3 picks (i believe 1st 3) then their 1st round pick goes to the Phoenix Suns for that Joe Johnson move.  Meaning SoJo will not get too much competition with their pick, if they even decide to pick a big man.  

I may be biased, but I see Solomon being one of those diamond in the roughs.  His athletic ability and shot blocking might catch the eye of a coach who knows exacly how to use him and what to do with him.  I would just love to see him putting in 15 minutes off the bench on a playoff team, i think he is athletic and talented enough to do so, in the right situation.  

[Velcro]

I would LOVE to see him on the Suns.... man, he would be perfect there!

I didnt' realize Phoenix was getting the hawks pick  That does bode well for Jones, but anything can happen in the lottery.  Heck, the team with the best odds to win it, has better odds of being the #4 pick.  

[Jewbull]

Jones, along with Chucky Atkins of the Memphis Grizzlies, are the only two USF alums to be currently featured on an NBA roster.

Have we ever had any other players featured on an NBA roster other than Summer League.

[Matt]

oops, good catch LOL

you can tell i'm a college hoops fan.

That makes his numbers even more impressive.

14.4 pts per 48 mins

9.6 reb per 48 mins

those conversions never work out though.  sojo is a good player.  i hope he hangs around long enough to sign a new deal so he dont have to worry about money ever again.