Three Canes on NBA Opening Night Rosters

As the 2012-2013 NBA season tips off tonight, three Pro Canes are on NBA rosters with John Salmons playing for the Sacramento Kings, Dequan Jones for the Orlando Magic and James Jones playing for the defending champions – the Miami HEAT.

James Jones, the Three-Point Shootout winner at 2011 All-Star Weekend, is in his 10th season in the NBA and his fourth playing for his hometown Miami HEAT. He was a key component in the championship run for the Heat, hitting three pointers down the stretch to clinch the team’s second title. In five games in the NBA Finals, he was two for five from downtown, with six rebounds and one steal. In the regular season he averaged 3.6 points a game, shooting a .404 percentage from downtown. He played in 51 games, starting 10. Jones and the HEAT open the season Tuesday against Boston at American Airlines Arena in Miami.

John Salmons, in his second stint with the Sacramento Kings, averaged 7.5 points per game in the 2011-2012 season which is his lowest since the 2005-06 season. He only played in 46 games and is trying to have a bounce back year. He currently is in his 11th season in the NBA, posting a career average of 10.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. The season opener for Salmons and the Kings is Oct. 31 at Chicago.

DeQuan Jones’ journey to the NBA began in June as an undrafted free agent and receiving a non-roster invitation to the Orlando Magic’s training camp. From there, Jones shined in summer league and again during Orlando’s eight-game preseason slate. On Nov. 27, Jones was added to the Magic’s 15-man opening night roster. In 111 career games for the Canes, he scored 508 points, accumulated 53 assists, blocked 51 shots and swiped 52 steals. The Orlando Magic host Denver on Friday, Nov. 2 for their season opener.