The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft has officially concluded, and Marquette Golden Eagles guard Kam Jones remains undrafted. While Jones was widely projected as an early-to-mid second-round pick, there was some late buzz that he could potentially sneak into the late first round due to his standout collegiate career.
So, when Jones went unselected on Night 1, it raised some eyebrows around the basketball world. A Consensus Second-Team All-American with a proven scoring touch and leadership pedigree, his slide out of the first round has left many wondering what caused teams to pass.
What Led to Kam Jones’ First-Round Draft Slide Despite Elite College Performance?
Jones wrapped up his senior season at Marquette University, averaging 19.2 points, 5.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, while shooting 48.3% from the field and 31.1% from three-point range over 34 games. He was named a Consensus Second-Team All-American for the 2024-25 season, an honor confirmed by major outlets including the Associated Press, Sporting News, NABC, and USBWA.
He also became the first Marquette player since Dwyane Wade to record a triple-double, achieving this milestone on November 19, 2024, with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists against Purdue.
His pre-draft process only strengthened his profile. Jones impressed scouts with his maturity and basketball IQ during team interviews. He also showcased his shot-creation skills at the NBA Combine. With efficient workout performances, Jones positioned himself as one of the most NBA-ready backcourt prospects in this class.
All of that, however, was not enough for him to be selected in the first round. Concerns began to resurface at his first NBA Combine scrimmage. The Golden Eagles guard measured only 6’3″ barefoot, which was below expectations for a player typically listed at 6’5″. In addition, Jones exited early from the scrimmage due to a minor injury, which raised red flags among scouts regarding his physical tools.
His shooting also became a concern, especially from beyond the arc. While he had previously shot over 40% from deep in the 2023-24 season (40.6%), his 3-point percentage dipped to 31.1% last season (2024-25). This significant drop raised questions about his consistency.
Scouts also noted his limited pull-up game and streaky shooting. One scout remarked, “He does not have much of a pull-up game as a shooter. He is going to need to be a good shooter to really make it work.”
In addition, Jones’ impact after a significant role shift has been a point of discussion. After Tyler Kolek’s departure, Jones took over as Marquette’s primary ball-handler. This switch helped him improve as a playmaker, as evidenced by his increased assist numbers, but it also exposed him to tougher defensive attention and led to team-level struggles in certain games.
One Reddit user noted, “This is still a pretty rough draft class with a large gap at the guard position. He was even sniffing the lottery for a large portion of the early season. He just did not really respond well to the cool-off.”
That said, the 23-year-old is still considered one of the most NBA-ready guards in the 2025 NBA Draft class. Most mock drafts placed him firmly in the early-to-mid second round. With the calendar flipping to June 26, basketball fans will likely see him selected by a team early in the second round, where he could provide immediate value.
