Defend the Block: Transfer Jones Discusses Hectic Offseason, Making Mark at U-M
7/14/2021 9:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Features
On this week's edition of the "Defend the Block" podcast, new grad transfer guard DeVante' Jones talks about his busy last few months, culminating with arriving in Ann Arbor, along with his style and fit on the floor with the Wolverines. We also visit with strength and conditioning coach Jon Sanderson, who discusses the key aspects of his work with players this time of year and breaks down how he personalizes the workout plan for each player.
By Brian Boesch
Last season in college basketball was unprecedented, with sudden change prevalent and intense discipline required. For new Wolverine DeVante' Jones, that backdrop continued into the first few months of the offseason.
Jones and his Coastal Carolina teammates saw their wild 2020-21 season come to an end on March 24, as the Chanticleers reached the championship game of the College Basketball Invitational (CBI). Shortly after Coastal Carolina's loss to Pepperdine, Jones' offseason of change began.
Jones elected to enter the NBA Draft process while maintaining his eligibility on April 6. Two weeks later, on April 20, Jones entered the transfer portal and immediately received significant interest from many power-conference programs. The reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year ultimately selected Michigan just 11 days later on May 1.
Jones spent more than two months testing the NBA waters before electing to return to college basketball. During that stretch, he received nothing but empowerment and support from his new coaching staff and program.
"They understood the process I went through, and they just respected it. A lot of coaches didn't want me going through the draft process," Jones said on this week's edition of the "Defend the Block" podcast. "I just respected them so much for that."
That freedom to pursue NBA feedback was one of the many reasons Jones ultimately decided to commit to Michigan. He also witnessed Mike Smith's success as a grad transfer a season ago, which Jones admitted "definitely did play a big key" in coming to Ann Arbor.
Like Smith, Jones wants to prove he is the complete package, both in terms of the style of his game and the level of competition he can handle. Last season, Jones averaged a career-best 19.3 points per game, but his assists were cut in half from his sophomore season (5.7 per game to 2.9 per game), as the Chanticleers needed him to be a scorer first.
"This year, I can focus more on being a true point guard," Jones said. "I'm going to have my spurts where I can score the ball, but I know I'm around a lot of talented guys now. I get a chance to prove to the scouts that my IQ is very high. I just understand the game.
"I feel like a lot of people don't think I'll be able to adjust to this level," Jones continued. "I just can't wait to go on the floor and just prove all those people wrong -- and prove myself right."
Smith certainly accomplished both of those objectives in his one season in Ann Arbor, and Jones has that potential here in 2021-22. Even though individual statistics will be critical for Jones as he strives for a chance at the NBA down the road, he has the same goals as the program -- to win.
"I know if we win as a team, individually everybody is going to eat," he said. "That's just the main goal for me right now, just getting better with my brothers each and every day."
• MGoBlue Podcasts
