Busting Brackets
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Big 12 Basketball: Top 5 rising juniors for 2018-19

By Brian Rauf

OMAHA, NE - MARCH 25: Udoka Azubuike #35 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts after fouling out against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 25, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE - MARCH 25: Udoka Azubuike #35 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts after fouling out against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 25, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 24: Marvin Bagley III #35 and Gary Trent Jr #2 of the Duke Blue Devils trap Andrew Jones #1 of the Texas Longhorns during the first half of the game during the PK80-Phil Knight Invitational presented by State Farm at the Moda Center on November 24, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. Duke won the game 85-78. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 24: Marvin Bagley III #35 and Gary Trent Jr #2 of the Duke Blue Devils trap Andrew Jones #1 of the Texas Longhorns during the first half of the game during the PK80-Phil Knight Invitational presented by State Farm at the Moda Center on November 24, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. Duke won the game 85-78. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

5. Andrew Jones, Texas

Jones only played in 10 games last season before being diagnosed with leukemia, which he has been successfully battling since January. Obviously, things off the court are much more important for him, but Jones already expects to be ready for the 2018-19 season.

Here’s what he told Dime Magazine’s Oliver Maroney about wanting to play this year:

"“My biggest motivator was being back on the basketball court. Knowing that I could be back on the court, I used that as my motivation. My aspirations to be back on the court and playing is the main reason for why I was in a good space in the hospital and now. Without that, I don’t think I’d be here or it would’ve been much harder.”"

Texas used Jones’ battle for motivation and inspiration last season and Jones’ leadership will likely do the same for them this year. However, it remains to be seen just how productive and effective Jones will be.

The 6-4, 195-pounder is a dynamic combo guard who can fill it up with the best of them as he scored at least 14 points in seven of Texas’ first eight games before getting hurt and then being diagnosed. He was playing much more efficiently as well, raising his shooting percentage to 52.2 and three-point shooting percentage to 46.3 (up from 42.5 percent and 32.8 percent as a freshman).

It really doesn’t matter what Jones is able to bring to the table because he’s already winning the battle for his life. But, if he can provide Texas with a top scoring option, the Longhorns will be looking at another NCAA Tournament appearance.

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