Kam Jones’ increased assists per game this season has been getting a lot of attention from both Marquette Golden Eagles supporters and analysts. Coach Shaka Smart claimed it is all because of Tyler Kolek.
Kolek has not played college basketball this season since he is already in the pro ranks, playing for the New York Knicks. His spirit remains with the Golden Eagles and that is manifested through the way the team is playing according to Smart.
“Having an elite passer like Tyler for three seasons set a standard within our team; it positively impacts the others, even if they can’t replicate his style,” the head coach while discussing Jones’ improved passing game.
“Kam brings his flair to the passing game, reminiscent of Tyler, while balancing his aggression as a scorer. It’s crucial because he’s a genuine scoring threat.”
Jones recorded 18 points and 10 assists in the win against the Providence Friar.
It was the third time he had broke into double digits in dimes this season. Before that, he had eight assists against Xavier.
Kam Jones’ passing right might be better than Kolek’s
Jones is currently ranked fourth nationally in terms of assist rate at 43 percent. That is one percent better than what Kolek recorded according to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The senior guard recently explained that the spike in his assists numbers is more about the fact that he is getting more touches now with Kolek and Oso Ighodaro gone to the big league. He explained that he always had that in him.
For Smart, it is about his player’s dedication to the small details in an attempt to become an all-round player.
“Kam has truly dedicated himself to perfecting these aspects of his game,” Smart said.
“Most players tend to gravitate towards shooting and scoring, but they often overlook the nuances of passing and ball-handling.”
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