K-State's Rising Star CJ Jones Shocks Fans with Sudden Transfer Portal Move
Here’s the introduction to the article:
Ah, the wild, wild west that is college basketball these days, where the only thing more fluid than the game itself is the roster movements. CJ Jones, a name you might’ve heard echoed through the Bramlage Coliseum just last season, is hitting the road once again. And let’s be frank, if you’re not following the transfer portal these days, you’re missing half the story. The news broke this Monday afternoon, and just like that, another chapter of Kansas State’s backcourt saga begins. I’m thinking, did Jones find his shot or was this move part of a larger plan in mind?
Jones, after transferring from Illinois-Chicago, where he shone brightly enough to start in 51 games over two seasons, joined K-State for a single season. Truly, he was a beacon of hope for an assist, even if he didn’t always hit the mark with his shooting. And speaking of shooting, at K-State? Well, his arc was inconsistent – 40.7 percent from the field and 30.9 percent from deep. But the transfer portal giveth and taketh away, and for K-State, it has certainly been ‘takething’ away this offseason.
Now, as a fan or a follower of Wildcat basketball, you might be feeling intrigued, a bit disappointed, yet curious about what the team’s going to look like next season. Ten departures, including Jones? That’s not just roster turnover, that’s a full-scale roster remodel under Coach Jerome Tang.
Another thing worth considering, kind of makes one wonder – how does constant movement impact team cohesion, momentu, and overall strategy?
Jones’ departure signals another major roster overhaul for head coach Jerome Tang and his staff. Six players from last season’s roster have entered the transfer portal since the season ended, seven if you include forward Achor Achor, who departed the program at the midseason mark. Including the players who saw their eligibility expire – guard Max Jones and forwards Coleman Hawkins and David N’Guessan – the Wildcats have had ten players leave the program.Jones scored double-digit points in five games last season, including three times in conference play. In February, he scored 10 points in K-State’s win over a ranked Arizona. He also scored over ten points in back-to-back games against Arizona State and UCF. Jones averaged 5.7 points, 1.5 assists, and 1.7 rebounds per game. However, like most of K-State’s team last season, Jones struggled to find a consistent shot, shooting 40.7 percent from the floor and 30.9 percent from deep. Before transferring to K-State, Jones was a standout at Illinois-Chicago, starting 51 games over two seasons. In 2023-24, he averaged 11.3 points and 4.7 assists per game, which led the team.
Jones spent one season with K-State, transferring last offseason after two seasons with Illinois-Chicago. Although he started the season as a starter, Jones quickly found a role on the bench, coming off the bench in 24 of his 33 games.
Kansas State‘s roster turnover continued on Monday afternoon, when guard CJ Jones announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal. The Portal Report was the first to report the news.
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