LaJae Jones Dominates Serie A With 35-Point MVP Performance
LaJae Jones, a rookie forward for Pallacanestro Trieste, earned MVP honors for the eighth round of the Serie A season after a 35-point performance in a 116-100 victory over BC Roma.
The American wing currently ranks among the league leaders in scoring, rebounding, and blocks, drawing attention from NBA scouts.
The impact of Jones’s transition to European basketball has been significant. According to Il Piccolo, the player recorded a 46-point evaluation, 11 rebounds, and three blocks during his performance. His efficiency reached a +22 plus/minus rating, establishing him as a central figure in the team’s tactical rotation.
Jones is averaging 18.9 points per game, placing him seventh in the league scoring race. He currently ranks second in total evaluation and rebounding, with 9.1 boards per contest, and leads the league in blocks at 1.7 per game. These metrics have attracted professional interest, including representatives from the Golden State Warriors who attended the match at the PalaRubini to evaluate his performance.
Regarding his immediate success, Jones noted his surprise at the rapid adjustment to the professional level.
🔥 LaJae Jones is DOMINATING the Italian LBA Serie A. 35 points, 11 rebounds, 6/12 3pts against Nelson and Doncic’s BC Roma. Jones is now averaging 18.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.7 steals, and 1.4 assists through 7 games this season in Italy. 🇮🇹 LaJae Jones giocatore… https://t.co/qtIwvX5lNw pic.twitter.com/R2fzRf6AuV
The tactical system employed by the coaching staff has emphasized a high-tempo pace that suits Jones’s transition game. “It allows me to play at a high rhythm,” Jones said.
“I find myself very comfortable in transition, as does the whole team. We shoot a lot of three-pointers; I can take a shot when I am free or attack the closeout, go toward the basket and create opportunities for my teammates."
The presence of NBA personnel at the PalaRubini has already led to direct communication regarding his development. When asked about feedback from the Warriors’ staff, Jones confirmed they have remained in contact. “They tell me just to continue like this, to build on what has been done so far and, later on, to see when there will be the occasion to return to the Bay Area,” he told Il Piccolo.
Looking ahead, Jones identified the Coppa Italia and the Serie A championship as the team’s primary objectives. “I want to arrive at playing for the Coppa Italia and the championship,” he said. “I think we have every possibility of winning both competitions.”
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