Duke's Tre Jones Declares for 2020 NBA Draft; Projected 1st-Round Pick

Duke star Tre Jones will enter the 2020 NBA draft, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Jones was part of a loaded 2018 recruiting class for the Blue Devils that included Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish. With Williamson, Barrett and Reddish moving on to the NBA after their freshman seasons, Jones assumed a larger role in the offense.

The sophomore guard averaged 16.2 points, 6.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from three. His true shooting (52.4) and effective field-goal (47.4) percentages were both increases over 2018-19 as well, per Sports Reference.

He was named the 2020 ACC Player of the Year and ACC Defensive Player of the Year for his efforts.

Jones' older brother, Tyus, was the 24th overall pick in the 2015 draft. By June, however, Tre might have family bragging rights.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected him to be the No. 20 pick to the Milwaukee Bucks (via the Indiana Pacers) in his most recent mock draft, writing:

"The Bucks could look at Jones as an immediate contributor during their championship window. He made a strong jump this year as a scorer (16.2 PPG) and shooter (1.3 3PT, 36.1 percent), but it's still his passing IQ, defensive pressure and intangibles that Milwaukee would see carrying over to its second unit."

The state of the 2020 class gave Jones added incentive for declaring. With a better crop of college and international stars expected in 2021, his draft value may never be higher.

Along with Jones, Duke might lose Vernon Carey Jr. and Cassius Stanley to the NBA. Weep not for the Blue Devils, though, since they have the second-best recruiting class in 247Sports' composite team rankings heading to Durham next season.