Lockout Won't Deter Los Al NBA Hopeful

Remember basketball? Until recently, it was the sport that Southern Californians lived for.

While the Lakers may not bet lighting up the scoreboard thanks to the 2011 Lockout, the next generation of basketball’s stars is still battling to show what it can do. That includes Los Alamitos’ own Cameron Jones, who was recently drafted in the first round of the NBA Development League Draft.

Jones, a former Griffin and Lumberjack, was the 10th pick overall in the first round by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

“It feels real good,” said Jones from his home in Los Angeles. “The D League is a start for anybody, as long as you are playing somewhere during the NBA Lockout. You are blessed to play because the lockout has affected everybody home and abroad.”

The Mad Ants are an affiliate with the Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, and the Milwaukee Bucks.  

“I have been working out since I left school and I am ready to get into it,” said Jones. “I am just trying to take that small step forward and do the best I can where I am.”

The season opens November 25.

“They have been a pretty good team so I am excited to join them,” said Jones.

The team drafted six players to complete the 17-man training camp roster. 

As a senior, Jones was named to the 2011 Big Sky First Team. He averaged 20.1 points per game and finished his career with 1,643 points, making him the school’s all-time leading scorer. He was also a Lou Henson Mid-Major All-American selection.

“We were in need of a wing player and he fits what we were looking for,” said coach Joey Meyer about Jones. “He knows how to score the ball and we are excited to see what he can do.”

In the second round, the Mad Ants selected Anthony Johnson, a 6-3 guard from Montana. He was named to the 2010 Big Sky First Team and averaged 19.2 points per game as a senior. For the 2010-11 season, he averaged 7.8 points per game in Cyprus.  Northern Colorado’s Jabril Banks was taken in the sixth round by the team.

NBA D League Draft – First Round

1. Los Angeles D-Fenders, Jamaal Tinsley, Iowa State; 2.Texas Legends, Alando Tucker, Wisconsin; 3. Maine Red Claws, Chris Wright, Dayton; 4. Sioux Falls Skyforce, Gabe Pruitt, Southern California; 5. Texas Legends, Jamal Sampson, California; 6. Bakersfield Jam, Edwin Ubiles, Siena; 7. Erie BayHawks, Cory Higgins, Colorado; 8. Bakersfield Jam, Nayal 'Mac' Koshwal, DePaul; 9. Erie BayHawks, Chris Daniels, Texas A&M-CC; 10. Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Cameron Jones, Northern Arizona; 11. Tulsa 66ers, Curtis Sumpter, Villanova; 12. Dakota Wizards, Osiris Eldridge, Illinois State; 13. Bakersfield Jam, Mustapha Farrakhan, Virginia; 14. Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Tyren Johnson, Louisiana-Lafayette; 15. Canton Charge, Tyrell Biggs,Pittsburgh; 16. Tulsa 66ers, Gary Johnson, Texas.