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Louisville basketball: Comparing the class of 2020 to past Cardinals

By Presley Meyer

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 13: Carlik Jones #1 of the Radford Highlanders handles the ball on offense against the Long Island Blackbirds during the second half of the First Four game in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH - MARCH 13: Carlik Jones #1 of the Radford Highlanders handles the ball on offense against the Long Island Blackbirds during the second half of the First Four game in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE PARK, MD – DECEMBER 29: Carlik Jones #1 of the Radford Highlanders handles the ball against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on December 29, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – DECEMBER 29: Carlik Jones #1 of the Radford Highlanders handles the ball against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on December 29, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /

Carlik Jones – Guard

6’1, 180 pounds 

Player comparison: Russ Smith

A graduate transfer being compared to one of the greatest Cardinals of all-time on the surface may feel like it is setting Carlik Jones up for failure. However, the reigning Big South Player of the Year seems to love the pressure and, in recent memory, it’s tough to come up with a better comparison than Jones and Russdiculous.

Smith was a do-it-all guy. A versatile offensive player who could beat anyone in the country off the dribble and make you pay for shading off by shooting the three ball and the mid-range jumper at an unconscious level. Smith also thrived as a distributor, sliding over to the point often during his senior year, and was hell to deal with as a defender.

While Jones likely has a bit of a way to go if he wants to be half the defender Smith was, there is a lot of similarity in their games on the offensive end. Jones also compares to Smith because of not only having the “it factor” about him but bringing it to the floor each and every night and having it translate in such a strong confidence that it is contagious to his teammates.

Jones, like Smith, isn’t a do it by the books type of player. He doesn’t have beautiful form and balance, he isn’t going to wow you with his dynamic leaping ability or strong use of fundamentals. He gets the job done. Jones is patient at the top of the key as the primary ball-handler and he thrives in situations where he is coming off of ball screens- a Chris Mack staple. As his career has progressed, Jones has improved from beyond the arc, making him even more of a threat as a driver.

One of the best players in school history at Radford, Jones finished his junior season with more than 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game while shooting 49 percent from the field.

Those stats compare well to Smith’s senior season in which he averaged 18 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds. Obviously Smith’s competition was a bit more difficult against AAC competition, but Jones has showcased a similar ability as one of the most underrated all-around guards in the country.

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