Kevin Jones knows NBA D-League basketball. And the Canton Charge must be thankful for it.
Jones, a forward with the Cavaliers last season, gave another strong showing to help lift the Charge to a win in their home opener, 117-106 over the expansion Delaware 87ers on Saturday night.
“I’m amazed that he’s not on an NBA team right now,” Charge coach Steve Hetzel said of Jones. “The things that win basketball games (he does). He rebounds the basketball, he’s efficient at around-the-rim scoring and he can knock down 15-foot jump shots.”
Jones spent plenty of time bouncing between the Charge and the Cavs last season. He was not invited to camp this year, however, and is free to sign with any NBA team once call-ups begin.
Bo Spencer led the Charge with 23 points, including a sizzling 5-of-7 shooting on 3-pointers. Michael Lee, in training camp with the Cavs, added 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The Charge (2-0) made four consecutive threes early in the fourth, three of which came from Spencer.
“These are high-level basketball players,” Hetzel said. “When they get it going, I believe in all my guys to make the shots.”
Steve Weingarten led Delaware (0-1) with 19 points and Aquille Carr added 15. But the Sevens committed 27 turnovers, resulting in 39 points for Canton.
The Charge return to action Friday at home against the Springfield Armor. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
