Perry Jones vs. Terrence Jones: Who Will Be the Better NBA Player?

Despite both being possible NBA Lottery Picks, Perry and Terrence Jones shocked the basketball world with their intentions to return to their respective schools shortly after the conclusion of the 2010-11 season.

Both players will be legitimate contenders for National Player of the Year in the 2011-12, and should lead their teams to the NCAA Tournament come March.

When the NBA Draft rolls around, they will again be expected to declare and barring any injuries, will likely, once again, be projected lottery picks.

So which Jones will be the better NBA player? 

Here is a breakdown of each player's skill set and how it will translate to the NBA.

Size: Terrence Jones

The edge in the size category goes to Terrence Jones.

Despite being two inches taller, Perry does not have the body that Terrence does.

Perry is a tall, lanky, 6'11" power forward. He needs to add muscle and get thicker if he wants to reach his full potential in the NBA. 

Terrence on the other hand is 6'9" and is built like a house. He can muscle you down low and shoot from the perimeter, a deadly combination. It's not enough to have physical attributes—you've got to use them to your advantage. That's something the Kentucky man does brilliantly.

If Perry is able to add muscle and thickness so he can power NBA bodies such as Blake Griffin down low, he could very well take the advantage in this category but right now, the edge goes to Terrence.

To the people who will say that analysts said the same thing about Kevin Durant, it is a totally different situation with Perry because he plays down low and Durant is a perimeter player where he doesn't need to use strength as much.

Outside Game: Terrence Jones

The edge in perimeter play goes to Terrence Jones for the simple fact that Perry does not have much of an outside game at all.

As a matter of fact, Perry only attempted 10 3-point shots all last season, making two of them (20%).

Terrence, on the other hand, attempted 79 3-point baskets making 26 of them (32.9%)

He will certainly have to improve his outside game if he wants to be an effective small forward in the NBA but he is still just 19-years-old and has plenty of time to develop.

Perry will be just fine without an outside game as NBA teams will look for him to pound the ball down low in the paint to score most of his points. 

Inside Game: Terrence Jones

Despite his height advantage, Perry Jones does not have the inside game of Terrence at this point in his development.

Terrence is able to use his body and size to muscle his way through the trees down low in the paint to take it to the hoop.

He was able to reel in 336 rebounds to Perry's 215 and block 72 shots compared to Perry's 27.

If Perry is able to become more solid in the coming years, his NBA prospects as inside man will be much greater than Terrence's because Terrence will likely play the small forward/wing position in the NBA, but as of right now, the edge has to go to Terrence.

Potential: Perry Jones

Both Jones' are just 19-year-old kids full of potential but one has more potential than the other, Perry.

With his 6'11" unpolished frame, Perry has the opportunity to turn into an absolute monster down in the paint if he hits the weight room.

He needs to be able to matchup down low against NBA bodies such as Blake Griffin and DeMarcus Cousins.

Terrence Jones has a boatload of potential too but he is already a pretty polished player and is closer to his full potential than the Baylor banger.

Time will tell if Perry is able to reach his full potential but as of right now, that potential is great. 

Better NBA Player: Terrence Jones

When Perry and Terrence Jones enter the NBA Draft next season only one will make an immediate impact—Terrence.

He already sports an NBA-ready body. His game is more polished as well, and he's got an inside/outside game.

Terrence has played more college games than Perry as he hasn't missed time due to suspension that Perry has and will face when the season begins.

That NBA body and overall more polished game make Terrence the better NBA player.

Perry has great potential but he will not make an immediate impact with a team. We have seen so many like him before who have great potential and end up being busts, for example, Kwame Brown and Hasheem Thabeet.

Terrence will be able to step in immediately like Blake Griffin, although not as good as Griffin, and make an immediate impact on whatever team he plays on.