The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

KAI Jones and the remainder of the Charlotte Hornets’ 2021 Draft Class were formally introduced to the organisation’s fanbase and donned his No.23 jersey for the first time.

“So happy to be here in Charlotte, we have a great young core and I’m happy to be adding to that,” Jones said at his introductory press conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, “I’m ecstatic. I can’t wait to play, I just can’t wait to play. I put my jersey on as soon as I saw it, I just can’t wait to go.”

Jones was selected No. 19 overall by the New York Knicks but his rights were traded to the Hornets for a future first round pick.

Jones was rumoured to go to the Hornets at No.11 pick, prior to the draft, but Charlotte selected James Bouknight, a 6’5” guard out of UConn with that pick. They traded back into the first round with the Knicks to acquire Jones, the team’s second frontcourt acquisition of the night.

Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak said the trade with the Knicks hinged solely on Jones’ availability at pick 19.

“I think it just speaks to how they feel about me as an organisation, the type of player that they know that I could become and what I am right now. I think it speaks to their belief in me and how excited they are for my future. I think my biggest strength is my versatility, my ability to impact the game all around and some things I would continue to work on are my consistency and my shooting. Just building good habits on my shot so I can be a knockdown shooter in the NBA.”

Jones, a 6’11” 225-pound player versatile enough to play all three frontcourt positions, is already looking ahead to his new NBA home in Charlotte, led by reigning rookie of the year, point guard LaMelo Ball.

The Hornets finished last season 33-39, 10th place in the Eastern Conference, an improvement on their 23-42 finish in the previous season.

“It’s perfect timing. This team is on the rise and us coming in as two young exciting guys adds to that. They have players like LaMelo who can really pass the ball and they like to run so - I love running, I know James loves running too so it’s going to be showtime, I’m excited,” Jones said.

“If your mind isn’t set on being the Rookie of the Year coming into the NBA you’re already thinking wrong and that’s where my head is at. Winning a lot of games too, and I think me becoming a better player will help lead to that.”

In his sophomore season with the Texas Longhorns, 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 and he was named the conference’s Sixth Man of the Year.

During the draft process, the Hornets were the only team to invite Jones for a second workout and interview.

“When I first worked out here, and it was a really fun workout too, it was just feeling the vibe of the arena. You can feel the energy in there. I got to get familiar with the staff and everybody in the organisation, so you feel like you’re going somewhere where you know the people. It started to feel even more familiar on my second trip, so getting drafted here was perfect because I was getting used to it, it’s the only place I went to twice.”

Jones said the realisation of his lifelong NBA dream was made even more special during the process as he got to share those moments with his family and inner circle.

“It’s a blessing to just be in that room, but when you hear your name called it’s real, its relief, satisfaction, excitement, it’s a culmination of all your work you’ve been putting in over the years and all the sacrifices you’ve made so it’s a great feeling,” Jones said.

“Its very special. My mom, my uncle, my dad, my agent, brother, girlfriend are all here. My uncle knew me from I was a baby, picked me up from the hospital so him seeing me 20 years later, I feel like it was kind of cool having me here on this journey.

“My mom, it’s a huge blessing having her here, she hasn’t been in the states for about five years, God worked his magic in my life having her here. Me and my dad have been on multiple steps on this journey so him getting to see me up here on this stage. I’m sure he’s proud, but this is cool.”

The next step for Jones will be his debut at the MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2021, which will take place August 8-17 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.