Carlik Jones looks to earn roster spot as Bulls preseason continues

At 7 p.m. Thursday in the United Center, the Bulls open their quiet training camp and preseason against the reigning champion Denver Nuggets Point guard is the only major issue.

Captain John “Bluto” Blutarsky said nothing ends unless Billy says so. In Sunday’s Milwaukee exhibition game, Coby White and the worst start stood out. White led the starters with 14 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds. Ayo Dosunmu or Jevon Carter may start for Donovan Thursday.

Their only legitimate point guard, G League veteran Carlik Jones, would be disqualified. Nine scoreless minutes against the Bucks may have hurt. Most late-game free agents joined G League or overseas. That describes the underestimated six-foot guard, who shined in the FIBA World Cup this summer.

“It’s nothing new to me,” said Jones, the Windy City Bulls’ G League MVP and leading scorer last season. “Keep quiet and grind while I pray. Every night and morning, I pray and trust God. I’ll play hard to win.”

After his success last season, Jones’ Bulls contract was elevated to a normal NBA contract, but this and next season are uncertain. Making the opening day roster activates assurance. Longshot may be his surname because of his Radford University basketball career, which began with former Bull Javonte Green, three G League stints, three brief NBA stints, and the longest long shot to help South Sudan get its first Olympic basketball invitation

Jones had 20.4 points and a tournament-high and all-time record 10.4 assists per game. With 15, tied FIBA World Cup records for consecutive double-digit assists and game assists with Toni Kukoč, a renowned European basketball facilitator.

“Carlik not only should get minutes in the NBA,” former Bulls All-Star Luol Deng emailed me. “He can start league.”

A decade after the civil war, South Sudanese Deng commanded the basketball federation. Since FIBA allows one naturalized citizen on the national team, Deng chose Jones to manage the offensive. Jones fell in love with the developing nation after getting his passport last spring.

“I thought it was a good opportunity to play on a big stage, a good opportunity to show what I can do on another big stage,” Jones said last week. Learning about South Sudan’s mission and history encouraged me to play. It was amazing, a veiled blessing. Their independence and acceptance please me. It was great to experience their culture, holidays, clothing, and travel to many countries.

Not many people understand their hard work and all they’ve endured to get here, Jones added. My first World Cup away games and qualifying were fun. We celebrated their first World Cup triumphs. We finished our job and will play in Paris next summer.”

Jones, who was undrafted and went to a small school but played one year at Louisville, has a frequent NBA disadvantage. Teams must invest in draft picks for years, while Jones is usually on make-good deals. You can’t merely match the other man. You must improve to get a team to pay a non-player.

How much can you trust someone who hasn’t played much in the NBA? A Catch-22 for Jones. Because they were undrafted and had disposable contracts, they rarely play in the NBA. Again, you go. Many succeed, but the challenges are great.

“It was a tough route to get here, but I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Jones says. Several Cincinnati scholarship offers came my way. However, only Radford visited me, watched me play AAU games, and attended practices. My biggest thing about Radford was how the staff cared about more than basketball and provided me unconditional love and support. People knew me for my basketball skills. That was crucial to my Radford commitment.

“I think a lot of people say (my) size is an issue, but I don’t always think size is a problem,” Jones adds. “The league has guys my height and shorter than me. I sometimes thought it was the three’s erratic shooting. As a short person, I must regularly nail that shot. I feel there now (36% with Windy City; 42% this summer with FIBA). It’s hard, but I don’t allow others’ criticism bother me. It’s all I can do to take what comes and improve.”