Denver Jones is still learning to play point guard

HOOVER – Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl knows two things for sure.

The first is that he has built a program that commands respect, winning at least 20 games in six of the past seven seasons and playing in March Madness the past three years. Only once in program history have the Tigers reached the NCAA Tournament in at least three consecutive campaigns (1984-88).

The second? The Plains will always be a football nation, no matter how much success its team has.

As a result, he often uses football analogies to get his points across. He leaned on that strategy Tuesday while speaking to reporters at an AMBUSH event at the Finley Center. Pearl was asked about senior Denver Jones, who is a natural shooting guard and the projected starter at the 2 but will play significant minutes next season as a point guard behind Furman transfer JP Pegues.

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“He has the skills, and I think he has what it takes to play this position,” Pearl said of Jones. “But it’s different. … If you’ve never played quarterback, if you’ve never taken a snap … and now all of a sudden you’ve got the ball in your hands and a bunch of guys are running your way, (it is difficult) And then you have to look across the field and know exactly where guys are and aren’t, and when to deliver the pass.

Jones transferred to Auburn from Florida International in April 2023, and his signing proved crucial in helping the Tigers win a conference tournament championship and secure 27 wins, the fourth-most Auburn has ever achieved in a single season.

After a shaky start to seven games in which he made just 35.9% of his shots from the field, Jones settled in and became Auburn’s most reliable shooter beyond the three-point arc. He finished with averages of 9.1 points and 1.3 assists while knocking down 41.8% of his triples on 3.5 attempts per game.

Jones’ previous point guard opportunities were limited. According to College Basketball Analytics, he was on the floor for just 22 minutes and 40 seconds without Aden Holloway and Tre Donaldson – Auburn’s tandem at the leading guard position in 2023-2024. The Tigers outscored teams 19-13 in that time.

“As a point guard, he has to run the offense. His shoulders, his eyes and his body have to be in the right place and at the right time all the time so that we can make that play work.” said Pearl.

“Off the ball, (he can just) go get it and go score. We’ll throw it to you, you’ll have the advantage, in trailing situations. Go get a ball screen, go downhill, get a bucket. So, I I think it’s great for his development and his understanding of the game. I expect him to play both (PG and SG).”

Holloway (Alabama) and Donaldson (Michigan) both left through the transfer portal this season. Pegues is expected to be the main contributor for PG, with Jones and five-star freshman Tahaad Pettiford in support. Pettiford is ranked as the No. 1 point guard in the class of 2024 by the 247Sports Composite, but Pearl is determined to play him off the ball to start his career.

“The backfield will look a lot different. … We’re bigger, longer and more athletic. Jahki Howard and Tahaad are great freshmen, and they’re both pushing. Then Chad Baker (-Mazara) and Denver are great back guards , so there is really good competition.”

Jones, who will be using his final year of eligibility, should have plenty of opportunity to speak, both in his natural role and the role he is currently working on.

That development is crucial for what the Tigers want to achieve next season.

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rich_silva18.