DOMINIC JONES SPOTLIGHT2-13-03
After a quick look at a list of VCU men's basketball players who have reached 1,000 points in their careers, it's possible to place these standouts in two general categories: pure scorers and consistent performers. The first group consists of guys who were born to put up big numbers, including names such as all-time leading scorer Kendrick Warren, Chris Cheeks, who amassed 1,237 points in just two seasons, Bernard "Supernard" Harris, who averaged over 19 points in three of his four seasons, and current Ram Willie Taylor, who could reach 1,400 before his three-year career at VCU is done. The second group contains players such as Edmond Sherod, who never averaged more than 14 points per game in a season, Danny Kottak, who totaled 1,270 points but never led the Rams in scoring in his four seasons, and LaMar Taylor, known more for his assists and steals than his scoring ability.
So where does that put junior point guard Domonic Jones (Chesterfield, Va./Manchester), who just passed the 1,000-point barrier four games ago in a win at Old Dominion? He appeared to fit best in the second group in his first season, averaging 8.6 points per game backing up LaMar Taylor at point guard. Then after the graduation of LaMar Taylor and leading scorer Bo Jones, Domonic Jones looked like he belonged in the first group, topping 500 points in his sophomore season and forming a solid 1-2 scoring punch with Willie Taylor. Now, with players such as Emanuel Mathis, Troy Godwin and Michael Doles filling the baskets alongside Taylor, Jones seems to have settled in with that second group again. He currently averages 12.8 points per game, right about where his career average now sits.
Since the evidence thus far is inconclusive, let's ask Domonic. "I do see myself as a pure scorer, but being in the point guard position, I have a lot of other things to worry about besides scoring," he said. OK, so there should be a third group, just for Jones, who is capable of scoring in bunches but has the ability to do the other things, such as defend and run the offense, that help his team win games.
"[My main role is] being a leader on the floor and getting guys in the right situations to win ball games,' Jones said. "I just try to lead my teammates to do the right thing on the floor."
After relying mostly on Taylor and Jones last season, the Rams have several options on offense this year, as five players besides Jones are averaging eight points or more per game. With the emergence of Mathis, Godwin and Doles, who each have notched career-high scoring nights in the second half of the season, Jones feels responsible for distributing the ball rather than looking for his own shot. "It's a matter of going out there and executing for me," he said. "We have a lot of great scorers I can go to at any time of the game. It's my job to get these guys the ball and execute our offense as well as we can."
Along with his ability to score, Jones' athleticism, ball-handling skills and passing ability are tailor-made for the point guard position. Throughout the season, Jones has provided whatever the team needs on that given day, be it scoring, rebounding or assists. The Rams' second-leading scorer, Jones leads his team in assists and steals and is third in rebounding with 4.7 boards a game, an impressive number for a point guard.
Where Jones has needed improvement is his willingness to be a vocal leader. "The coaches have really helped me become more vocal on the court," he said. "They've worked with my communication on defense and getting everybody in the right position. I know I have to learn to be a little louder out there. It's something I'm not used to but it's getting there."
The presence of head coach Jeff Capel, who amassed 1,601 points and 433 assists as a guard at Duke, has also made a difference in Jones' game this season. "I've really learned a lot from him since he took the job," Jones said of Capel. "He knows a lot and is so passionate about the game. He does whatever he can to make each person on the team better."
Right now it seems Jones has led the Rams right where they want to be. After a five-game winning streak the Rams are in sole possession of second place, just a half-game behind UNC-Wilmington. Jones likes his team's chances to continue the string of success and finish with a flurry at the CAA Tournament. "We're in a great position right now," he said. "We're winning on the road as well as at home and we're playing hard and together as a team."
A native of Chesterfield, Va. and a Manchester High School grad, Jones is the latest in a long line of local players making it big at VCU. He is the 12th local product to reach 1,000 points in a VCU uniform, which seems to fit Jones like a glove. "It means a lot to me to have stayed home to play college basketball," he said. "To have my parents and close friends see me play is a big part of why I chose to play here. I really don't feel any pressure [to do well]; I've played in front of these people my whole life. I just go out and play my game."