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Xavier guard Colby Jones declares for 2023 NBA Draft

Alex Weberby:Alex Weber•03/31/23
colby jones
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Xavier guard Colby Jones has announced his intention to enter the 2023 NBA Draft. Jones averaged 15 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists for a Xavier team that made it to the Sweet 16. After a successful three years in Cincy, he’s headed to the professional ranks.

Here was the announcement, which Jones posted to Twitter:

With those numbers plus a 6-foot-5 frame and a 37.8% three-point stroke, Jones will absolutely get his shot in the NBA. He likely won’t be a lottery pick or even a first round selection, but positionally versatile players like Jones with a three-point stroke tend to find their way on the court. He could feasibly play the one, two or three at the next level. We’ve seen him distribute like a point guard and we know he has the size and athleticism to guard small forwards.

Just a lot to like about Colby Jones as an NBA prospect.

More on the 2023 NBA Draft

The 2023 NBA Draft is set to take place on Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Brooklyn at Barclays Center. Round 1 of the draft will be announced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, while Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum is expected to handle the second round of picks.

To be eligible for the NBA Draft, players must be at least 19 years in age during the calendar year that the draft is held and at least one NBA season from their high school graduation date, or the date that would have been if they are not graduated. It is not required that player spend that one year playing college basketball, though. Players can play in either college, abroad, or the G League Ignite if they choose so.

While this is a significant change from what the rules once were, players are eligible to enter their names into the NBA Draft pool and explore their options by hiring an agent to go through the process, while still keeping their college eligibility. The deadline to make that move is on April 23 beginning at 11:59 p.m. ET. Players have until June 12 at 5 p.m. ET to withdraw their name from the pool and return to college.

The NBA Draft Lottery will be held on May 16, which is also the start of the NBA Conference Finals.