Mason Jones came to Arkansas as an unheralded junior-college transfer. He left as the SEC’s top scorer and with All-American and SEC honors.
Jones, a 6-5 junior guard, averaged 22.0 points during the 2019-20 season to become the first Razorback to lead the SEC in scoring since Arkansas joined the conference for the 1991-92 season. The media voted him Associated Press co-SEC player of the year with Mississippi State forward Reggie Perry.
Jones also was an honorable mention AP All-American.
“Great accomplishment for Mason,” Arkansas Coach Eric Musselman said. “He had an incredible year.”
Jones averaged 5.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals. He was the second player to lead the Razorbacks in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals along with Sidney Moncrief.
Jones hit 68 of 194 three-pointers (35.1%) and led the nation in free throws made (233) and attempted (282) for 82.6%.
Rather than return to Arkansas for his senior season, Jones entered the NBA Draft. He wasn’t taken among the 60 picks, but signed a free agent contract with the Houston Rockets.
Jones opened last season by scoring 32 points against Rice. He scored 20 or more points in 18 games — including a career-high 40 against Tulsa and Auburn — and 30 or more in nine games. In SEC play, Jones averaged 23.6 points.
In the few games in which Jones didn’t score well, he piled up other stats. When he was held to a combined 14 points in back-to-back games at Ole Miss and against Vanderbilt, he had 17 assists, 13 rebounds and 4 steals.
“Mason Jones does everything well,” Mississippi State Coach Ben Howland said. “He’s just a complete player.”