Marquette Golden Eagles saw their own small and big man combination get drafted last year when Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro were both picked in the second round. Will they see similar turnout in this year’s NBA draft, featuring Kam Jones and David Joplin?
Tyler Kolek, Oso Ighodaro, Marquette Golden Eagles
Mar 6, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Marquette forward Oso Ighodaro, left, greets guard Tyler Kolek after being honored on senior day before their game against UConn Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
The two players led the team this season in scoring and helped the team reach the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Jones was named to the Consensus second-team All-American (2025) and First-team All-Big East (2025) while Joplin got the Third-team All-Big East nod.
The team has a third draft aspirant in shooting guard Chase Ross although his name is yet to make a remarkable noise throughout the process.
Jones, for his part, is getting more traction. He started the NBA draft build up as a potential first rounder but his stock has been sliding. He was invited to the NBA combine last month and showed his shooting and playmaking skills.
Kam Jones, Marquette Golden Eagles
Feb 25, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles guard Kam Jones (1) dribbles the ball in front of Providence Friars guard Nilavan Jotham Daniels (20) during the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Joplin, on the other hand, participated at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament which is being used by some scouts to analyze college players.
Kam Jones could get picked, bad news for David Joplin
Although mock drafts see Jones sliding to second round, maybe early or late part of it, there’s some sort of assurance that the 6’5 point guard will get picked.
CBS Sports released its latest NBA Draft Top 100 ranking and put Kam Jones at no. 34 which is currently owned by Charlotte Hornets.
One anonymous NBA coach via The Athletic said he needs to improve his shooting and get stronger.
“I think he’ll be an off-the-bench guy, and his ceiling, if his shooting can come around, could be better than that. He’s not very big,” the unknown coach said.
“He has to get stronger just to compete against the size that exists in that league.”
USATSI 25735457
Mar 21, 2025; Cleveland, OH, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles forward David Joplin (23) reacts after being defeated by the New Mexico Lobos during the NCAA Tournament First Round at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
As for Joplin, looks like he will enter the Summer League without assurance of an NBA team.
The 22-year-old power forward is ranked 77th by CBS, outside of the two rounds. Only 59 teams will select this year after the league forfeited New York Knicks’ pick for violation.
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