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

By Jerran Anderson

Nov 10, 2022; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; North Dakota State Bison forward Grant Nelson (4) shoots the ball over Kansas Jayhawks forward Jalen Wilson (10) during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2022; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; North Dakota State Bison forward Grant Nelson (4) shoots the ball over Kansas Jayhawks forward Jalen Wilson (10) during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Jones – 6’4 Guard/Wing – Auburn Tigers

Denver Jones makes his debut in the SEC this season after making a splash in the Conference USA with the Florida International Panthers from 2021-23. He was a spark off the bench as a freshman then blossomed in a big way as an All-Conference USA performer this past season.

As a freshman, he produced 12.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 2.3 apg on 34.5 percent from 3-point range and 38.8 percent shooting from the floor across 31 contests, seven starts, in 2021-22. In 2022-23, he showed his growth as he moved into a starting role and showed his worth.

Jones finished the season with 20.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.0 apg and 1.8 spg on 37.1 percent from 3-point land and 47.8 percent from the field across 28 starts.

He does a tremendous job of creating off the bounce and knows how to draw contact and get to the free-throw line where he’s a career 86.8 percent shooter. He finished fifth in Conference USA in free throws made (131) and ninth in PER (22.5) in 2022-23 and led the conference in free throw percentage (89.6 percent) in 2021-22.

One thing that improved from Year 1 to Year 2 for Jones was his presence on the defensive end. His steals nearly doubled with increased playing team as he snagged a career-best 49 steals this past year, finishing ninth in Conference USA.

Jones will look to bring his two-way abilities into the Tigers fold as he elevates into high-major basketball. He joins the Auburn Tigers in the SEC ranks as the lone Division I transfer out of the portal in 2023-24. They’ll add others with experience beyond the high school stage, but two are from JUCO and the other attended DII Alabama-Huntsville.

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