Busting Brackets
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Big 12 Basketball: Each team’s best acquisition out of 2023 transfer portal

By Jerran Anderson

Michigan center Hunter Dickinson (1) dunks against Toledo forward AJ Edu (15) during the second half of the first round of the NIT at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
Michigan center Hunter Dickinson (1) dunks against Toledo forward AJ Edu (15) during the second half of the first round of the NIT at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. /
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Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

Curtis Jones – 6’4 Guard/Wing – Iowa State Cyclones

Curtis Jones has made quite the journey already in his career, beginning in 2020-21 at Indian Hills Community College in Iowa. He spent the past two seasons with the Buffalo Bulls in the MAC and now returns to Iowa as a member of the Iowa State Cyclones in the Big 12.

Jones saw his numbers blossom as he entered the starting rotation for Buffalo this past year. He put up a career-high 15.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.0 apg and 1.4 spg on 35.9 percent shooting from 3-point range and 41 percent from the floor. He earned third-team All-MAC honors after finishing fifth in the conference in 3-pointers made (75)  and eighth in steals (43).

Despite playing off the ball, Jones showed tremendous ability to find ways to create opportunities for himself and others as a threat off the bounce. He does well to use his size at 6-foot-4 to create space for himself and make things happen when given opportunities.

He made a splash this past season in early December in a victory over St. Bonaventure. He went off for a career-high 32 points on 13-of-22 shooting from the field and 5-for-10 from deep along with six rebounds, three assists and three steals to put his stamp on what the season had it store for him.

He’s an emerging wing prospect that’s shown an ability to make an impact as a playmaker and rebounder given his size on the floor. He uses his length and athleticism tremendously to find ways to score in the paint and on the perimeter. After having a career year with Buffalo this past season, he’ll look to do even more damage in the Big 12 with the Cyclones.

Iowa State returns just five players from last year’s squad, losing five of their top scorers from a season ago. They’ll be limited on returning experience but they also add Keshon Gilbert (UNLV) and  Jackson Paveltzke (Wofford) out of the portal and four freshmen prospects as they look to keep pace with their fifth-place finish in Big 12 action this past season.

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