Why Jerome Tang says CJ Jones (not Dug McDaniel) is Kansas State’s best point guard
Some were understandably surprised when CJ Jones took the floor as Kansas State’s starting point guard during an exhibition victory over Fort Hays State last week at Bramlage Coliseum.
The Illinois-Chicago transfer arrived at K-State with little fanfare during the offseason. Even though he put up solid numbers at his old school, most expected Michigan transfer Dug McDaniel to take the lead in Jerome Tang’s backcourt this year.
Maybe that will end up happening over time. For now, though, Tang wants to make one thing clear about Jones and how impressive he has played leading up to the season-opener against New Orleans on Tuesday.
“He isn’t starting in (McDaniel’s) place,” Tang said. “CJ started because he’s been our best point guard.”
Jones certainly looked good against Fort Hays State, as he scored nine points and dished out five assists in 32 minutes.
The 6-foot-5 junior appears ready to take a big step forward after he averaged 11.4 points and 4.8 assists last year with the Flames.
“He has an incredible assist-to-turnover ratio in practice and you saw it again (during the exhibition game),” Tang said. “He gets guys shots. He can defend the ball and keep it out of the paint. He can rebound and his length provides a lot for you. He is a willing passer. He just gives it up. The ball comes out of his hands easy. They can play together. He can play by himself. CJ has earned where he’s at.”
McDaniel may have seemed like the obvious choice to begin the season as K-State’s starting point guard, given how well he played while averaging 16.3 points and 4.7 assists last year at Michigan. Tang called him the best point guard in the transfer portal last spring.
But he has not adjusted to his new surroundings as quickly as Jones.
“Dug is a talent,” Tang said, “and he’s learning how to be a point guard and how to lead. There is so much more to being a point guard than just dribbling and passing, like running a team. He is embracing that.”
Still, the Wildcats are expecting big things from him ... even though he’s currently coming off the bench.
“I think he still allows the ball going in the hole to affect him on the other end and in the other things,” Tang said. “So we just have to help him to continue to grow. But he’s a talent and he’s going to be a major part of us being successful this year.”
This story was originally published November 4, 2024 at 12:00 PM.