The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Kai Jones has signed with Klutch Sports Group ahead of the 2021 NBA Draft.

The organisation officially announced its six new NBA Draft prospects that will be added to its client roster.

The NBA Draft is scheduled for July 29 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and will be televised nationally by ESPN.

The Klutch Sports Group of 2021 signees include Jones, Brandon Boston Jr (Kentucky), Terrence Clarke (Kentucky), Jalen Johnson (Duke), Scottie Lewis (Florida) and Moses Moody (Arkansas).

Founded by Rich Paul, Klutch Sports Group represents a number of prominent NBA players, including LeBron James (LA Lakers), Anthony Davis (LA Lakers), Eric Bledsoe (New Orleans Pelicans), John Wall (Houston Rockets), Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers), Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors), Jusuf Nurkic (Portland Trail Blazers), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (LA Lakers), Lonzo Ball (New Orleans Pelicans), Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks), OG Anunoby (Toronto Raptors), and Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers).

According to Forbes magazine, Klutch Sports Group continues to be one of the fastest growing agencies in the industry.

“Now part of United Talent Agency (UTA), Klutch has experienced a meteoric rise under the leadership of NBA agent Rich Paul.

“Over the last five years, the agency has jumped 23 spots on the list of the world’s most valuable sports agencies.”

The organisation also recently added a football division that represented two of the first three players selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.

In his sophomore season, the 6’11” Jones averaged 8.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He shot 57 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range.

His standout season was recognised by the Big 12. He was named the conference’s Sixth Man of the Year and became the first Texas Longhorns player in programme history to earn the award.

Jones was tied for second on the team in blocks (19), tied for third in rebounding (4.8 rebounds per game), fourth in steals (22), and sixth in scoring (8.5 points per game) while averaging 22.7 minutes per game. He has hit 56.5-percent from the field (70-124), including a 36.7-percent mark (11-30) from three-point range, and has reached double figures in scoring 10 times in his first 23 games.

His season was highlighted in a January 26 game against the Oklahoma Sooners when he posted his first NCAA double double with 15 points and a career high 10 rebounds.

His numbers increased across the board from his freshman year when he averaged 3.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.

As a freshman he was named to the 2019-20 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team.

Throughout the season Jones has been projected as a highly coveted prospect for the 2021 NBA Draft by several mainstream American publications.

For the projected class of 2021 rankings, ESPN lists Jones at No.16, Sports Illustrated at No.22, Yahoo! Sports at No.23 and NBAdraft.net has him at No.24.

Jones entered Texas out of Brewster Academy as one of the top 50 Prep Basketball recruits in America. He was listed at No. 49 in the final ranking of the ESPN Top 100 for the Class of 2019 following his standout season.

A consensus four-star recruit, Jones earned a scout grade of 88 overall and was ranked No.13 among all centres, No.12 in his region and No.1 in the state of New Hampshire.