Top Rebounder
November 18, 2011 04:07 PM | General
According to Bob Huggins, the one physical trait all good rebounders must have is a set of great hands. Huggins believes that may be senior Kevin Jones’ best attribute.
On Thursday night, Jones broke Chris Brooks’ 20-year record for offensive rebounding, now showing 329 offensive boards heading into next Tuesday’s game against Morehead State in Charleston. Jones has also pulled down a team-best 39 rebounds so far this season.
“You think about some of the guys we consider some of the great offensive rebounders of all time,” said Huggins. “Moses Malone wasn’t a big jumper. Paul Silas certainly wasn’t a big jumper. Dennis Rodman wasn’t a great jumper, but they had great hands and when the ball was anywhere near their area and they could get a paw on it they rebounded it. I think KJ is much the same.”
When his career is finished Jones has a chance of cracking West Virginia’s top 10 in all-time scoring and all-time rebounding. That, according to Huggins, is more than enough to warrant school hall of fame consideration.
“He is right now the all-time leading offensive rebounder. He was the second leading scorer and second leading rebounder on the Final Four team. He’s had a hall of fame career,” Huggins pointed out. “You look at the guys who are in the top 10 in scoring and rebounding and those are hall of fame guys.”
Huggins continued.
“You can’t imagine what a good guy he is and how he is to deal with everyday. That’s not just people on the basketball staff, that’s everybody in the Coliseum,” he said. “The faculty that has had him everyone raves about what a good guy he is. He’s what everybody would want their son to be. You wish all of them were like him.”
Jones has worked hard to get to where he’s at today. When he first arrived four years ago he weighed just 215 pounds and today he is a rock-solid 260 pounds.
“He’s really learned to use his body well. He’s a special guy.”
Jones is coming off a career high 29-point performance Thursday night against Alcorn State. He leads the team with averages of 21.3 points and 13 rebounds per game.
On Thursday night, Jones broke Chris Brooks’ 20-year record for offensive rebounding, now showing 329 offensive boards heading into next Tuesday’s game against Morehead State in Charleston. Jones has also pulled down a team-best 39 rebounds so far this season.
“You think about some of the guys we consider some of the great offensive rebounders of all time,” said Huggins. “Moses Malone wasn’t a big jumper. Paul Silas certainly wasn’t a big jumper. Dennis Rodman wasn’t a great jumper, but they had great hands and when the ball was anywhere near their area and they could get a paw on it they rebounded it. I think KJ is much the same.”
When his career is finished Jones has a chance of cracking West Virginia’s top 10 in all-time scoring and all-time rebounding. That, according to Huggins, is more than enough to warrant school hall of fame consideration.
“He is right now the all-time leading offensive rebounder. He was the second leading scorer and second leading rebounder on the Final Four team. He’s had a hall of fame career,” Huggins pointed out. “You look at the guys who are in the top 10 in scoring and rebounding and those are hall of fame guys.”
Huggins continued.
“You can’t imagine what a good guy he is and how he is to deal with everyday. That’s not just people on the basketball staff, that’s everybody in the Coliseum,” he said. “The faculty that has had him everyone raves about what a good guy he is. He’s what everybody would want their son to be. You wish all of them were like him.”
Jones has worked hard to get to where he’s at today. When he first arrived four years ago he weighed just 215 pounds and today he is a rock-solid 260 pounds.
“He’s really learned to use his body well. He’s a special guy.”
Jones is coming off a career high 29-point performance Thursday night against Alcorn State. He leads the team with averages of 21.3 points and 13 rebounds per game.
Gold-Blue Spring Festival Fan Recap
Sunday, April 19
John Neider | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Zac Alley | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Rich Rodriguez | April 18
Saturday, April 18
