Canes in the NBA - Feb. 9

Feb. 8, 2012

Canes in the NBA
James Jones the Miami native has returned to the magic city with goals of an ever eluding championship. In his fourth season with the Miami Heat the 6-8, 215 lb shooting guard comes off the bench and aids the team with an arsenal of long distance shooting.  This season he is currently shooting an astounding 44 percent from behind the arc which ties his career high from his 2007-08 season with the Portland Trailblazers.

Jones has always relied heavily on his long ranged shooting taking roughly 60 percent of his shots from beyond the three-point line. He showcased this ability last year during the 2011 NBA All-Star weekend, where he became the three-point shootout champion besting the Boston Celtics’ Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. James Jones commented on his role as a three-point shooter on NBA.com “I prefer for other guys to get all of the attention while I sit in the corner and punish teams. It’s a very familiar territory. I’m not the superstar on my team but I know I’m an integral piece and guys like myself help teams win.” The eight year pro has averaged 40 percent from the floor scoring 3211 points during his NBA career.

Jones attended the University of Miami from 1999-2003. He started every game his sophomore junior and senior season with the Hurricanes and racked up a total of 1356 points. He was picked 49th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. He has played on four teams throughout his professional career which has brought him full circle back to his roots.

John Salmonsis in his ninth season of the NBA and playing for his fifth franchise. Currently the starting small forward for the Sacramento Kings, the veteran is averaging 7.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists this season after only 15 games. He holds career totals of 7,191 points, 2,190 rebounds, 1,778 assists and 648 steals. He has made it to the playoffs four times; starting 14 playoff games during his career and averaging 17.5 points per game when he starts.  He made it to the second round of the playoffs as a rookie in 2003 for the Philadelphia 76ers. However, since then has never been able to get past the first round.

Salmons attended the University of Miami from 1998-2002. He started 107 of 124 games while with the Hurricanes averaging 10.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steal per game over his four seasons. He was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs with the 26th overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft. After being selected he was immediately traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, where he would spend his next four seasons.