“The KBL is a very fast and physical league”

Jarrod Jones (206 cm, F) joined Suwon KT as a replacement foreign player during the 2022-2023 season. Despite his rushed arrival, he quickly adapted to the team. He scored 21 points in his debut and was a consistent scorer the rest of the way.

However, Jones’ scoring wasn’t consistent until the end of the season. His struggles became more and more severe and his performance declined. After averaging 20.4 points in six rounds, he ended up averaging 18.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals.

While he had his flaws, he also had his strengths. His size allowed him to play outside. Jones attempted 6.4 3-pointers per game and made 2.4. That’s a 37.9% success rate. His passing ability also allowed him to set up his teammates. Why Ha Yun-ki (203 cm, C) has developed into one of the best big men in the league.

In his second year, Jones prepared for the season with Goyang Sono instead of KT. When we caught up with him during offseason training, he said, “I’m experiencing a lot of things with a new team. First of all, I need to improve my physical condition and learn the team’s tactics and direction. I’m learning the team’s patterns through practice and scrimmages. I’m enjoying everything that’s happening right now,” he said.

“We don’t have a lot of time left until the Cup, and I know it’s a precursor to the league, so I need to be in good shape by then,” he added. 메이저사이트

As mentioned earlier, Jones is already a KBL veteran. What kind of team does he see in Sono? “It’s a shooter’s team. They have the best shooter in the league in Jeon Sung-hyun. Lee Jung-hyun is also a great shooter, and they have a lot of other good players. Last year, I didn’t know Sono very well, but now I do. That’s why I signed with them,” he said, expressing his satisfaction with the team colors.

Sono coach Kim Seung-ki emphasizes outside shooting. That’s why he’s looking forward to Jones’ performance. “I need to adapt to the team quickly. I really like the offensive style. It doesn’t limit me to being a shooter. I can attack from the outside and I can play inside. The coach gives me a lot of freedom. He gives me confidence. I’m trying to be more aggressive,” he responded.

Meanwhile, Sono added Anthony Bennett (202 cm, F) as a second-option foreign player. Bennett is a former first-round NBA draft pick who is very well known. However, Jones has a better understanding of the KBL. So what advice does the veteran have for Bennett?

“The KBL is a very fast and physical league, which means there’s going to be a lot of contact under the basket. When that happens, you have to focus on your game and not worry about the referee’s call. (Laughs) Also, I want Bennett to take his time and not be in a rush,” he said in a professional manner.