Jones and the Heat Set for NBA Finals

June 12, 2012

CORAL GABLES, Fla. –  Tonight University of Miami alum James Jones and the Miami Heat open the 2012 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In his fourth year with the Heat, Jones hopes to contribute to his first NBA championship, after being defeated by the Dallas Mavericks in last season’s Championships. 

During the regular season, Jones averaged 3.6 points and 1.0 rebounds per game, and is averaging 2.5 points and 0.9 rebounds per game in the 2012 playoffs. His best performance this postseason was in a series-changing win in Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers. He went 2-3 from distance, scoring six points and registering a blocked shot. Jones is known for his exceptional for his three-point shooting skills, especially after winning the Three-Point Shootout during All-Star weekend in 2011.

James Jones had an illustrious career while with the Canes. In his four years at UM, Jones averaged 11.1 points per game and 5.0 rebounds per game. His sophomore year, he shot an impressive 47.1 percent from three-point range and averaged 38.3 percent shooting beyond the arc in his four years. His career high in points occurred on March 1, 2003 against Boston College, where he put up 27.

After being drafted in 2003 in the second round by the Indiana Pacers, James bounced around his first few years with Phoenix and Portland before settling down in his hometown Miami.