Memphis Grizzlies: 5 Under The Radar Mid-Major NBA Draft Prospects
By Chris Kern
Jon Elmore
Jon Elmore is a 6’3″ guard who has been a four-year starter at Marshall University. During his time there he has had a lot of success both individually and as a team. Through 123 career games, he is averaging 19.6 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game.
The focal point of his offensive game is his three-point shooting. He has made 35% of the 7.3 three-point shots he attempts each game. He can do it all on offense though and that includes getting to the free-throw line where he makes 81% of his 6.5 free throws per game.
Some of his stats this season have dropped below his career average in large part due to extra shots attempted. The team also isn’t as good as it was last season as they have just a 14-13 record after winning 20 games each of the previous two seasons.
His junior season has been the best of his college career as he led the Marshall Thundering Herd to an NCAA Tournament appearance. In that season he averaged 22.7 points, 6.8 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game.
They didn’t just make the NCAA Tournament though, they would pull off an upset over the 4th seeded Wichita State Shockers. Marshall would win that game 81-75 in what was a back and force game throughout.
Elmore led the way as he finished with 27 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. He made a couple of deep three-pointers in the second half which were critical in keeping the momentum on their side. He also did a good job getting to the free-throw line as he made of 11 of the 15 he shot.
That game was his biggest moment in college but his best game took place just a couple of weeks ago. On January 31st he put up a career-high 44 points in a win over UTEP. In that game, he went 14-23 from the field including 7-11 from three-point range.
If he were to get drafted it likely would be as a late second-rounder so there’s a chance he ends up going undrafted in June. The Grizzlies should consider bringing him into training camp before likely signing him to the Memphis Hustle. He has a chance to make an NBA roster next season, but the G-League seems like the more realistic route.