Here's where Memphis basketball's top scorer David Jones ranks among transfers
The secret is out: Memphis basketball wing David Jones has been one of the best players in college basketball this season.
Leading the 15th-ranked Tigers (11-2) in scoring (21.2 points a game), rebounding (6.4 a game), steals (28) and tied for second on the team in blocks (eight), Jones has generated plenty of national buzz. Recently, multiple media members bestowed him with in-season All-American honors. And prior to Thursday's AAC opener at Tulsa (7 p.m., ESPN+), Jones was ranked seventh in KenPom's running National Player of the Year standings.
The Messenger's Jeff Goodman released a midseason review Thursday of college basketball's transfer portal winners and losers. Among the top "portal pickups" was Jones at No. 2, behind only Kansas' Hunter Dickinson (18.5 ppg, 12.5 rpg).
"Rick Pitino didn’t want Jones when he took over at St. John’s, but Jones has thrived under Penny Hardaway," Goodman wrote. "This year, Jones has played like an All-American, especially since he’s kept defenses honest with his ability to make shots from deep."
Jones is the only Tigers player on Goodman's list, which had Cam Spencer (Rutgers to UConn), L.J. Cryer (Baylor to Houston), Tramon Mark (Houston to Arkansas) and Caleb Love (North Carolina to Arizona).
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Goodman also put three names under the "Coaches who crushed the portal" sub headline, but Hardaway did not make the cut. Steve Forbes (Wake Forest), Thad Matta (Butler) and Danny Sprinkle (Utah State) were Goodman's picks there.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Here's where Memphis basketball's David Jones ranks among transfers
