New Sixer Preview: Mason Jones
The 76ers announced Friday that they had converted Paul Reed's two-way contract to a full standard NBA contract. This move opened up a two-way contract, which provides limited availability to the active roster while giving the team flexibility to have them in the player development program.
Per the 76ers official release:
Jones, a rookie from Arkansas, appeared in 26 games for Houston earlier this season while on a two-way contract. With the Rockets, he averaged 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 11.8 minutes per game. Jones played his sophomore and junior seasons at Arkansas after beginning his collegiate career at Connors State College. Following the 2019-20 season, he was named SEC Co-Player of the Year after averaging 22.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, leading the Razorbacks to a 20-12 record. He was also named to the All-SEC First Team and was the only player in the conference to lead his team in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals.
Mason Jones is a 6'4" combo guard with a 6'7" wingspan who can pressure opposing defenses in multiple ways. His ability to get downhill, attack the rim, and get to the free-throw line is a skill that has a value at any level.
Looking at Jones' heat chart in Houston, he appears to operate mostly in the middle of the floor. This is not a perfect heat chart, but it's a foundation of a player worthy of development.
In both of his collegiate seasons, Jones was teammates with 76ers rookie Isaiah Joe, whom Philadelphia selected with the No. 49 selection in the 2020 NBA Draft.