Breaking down Kai Jones' sensational debut

NASSAU (Bahamas) - When it comes to smashing debuts, Kai Jones of the Bahamas is at the top of the list. Jones, who didn't start playing the game competitively until he was 15, is now the most eye-catching young talent in the Americans Qualifiers. He had an amazing first game with his national team.

The islands in the Lucayan Archipelago of the West Indies were certainly shaking as the 2.08m center of the Charlotte Hornets and Greensboro Swarm showed enormous potential.

He was the best player on the court in the Bahamas' 86-81 loss to Venezuela.

Jones the rim protector

There is nothing a coach likes more than having a last line of defense with a player like Jones. The big fella swatted three shots against Venezuela, making the vinotinto think twice before they attempted to score inside. Jones' also showed great anticipation and jumped a passing lane to come up with a steal.

Scoring with put-backs, drives and jumpers

Jones is known for being a big-time slam dunk artist yet he did so much more against Venezuela. He hit a three-pointer with the shot clock winding down, scored with a difficult reverse layup in traffic and also attacked the rim, taking it right at the Venezuela bigs.

Jones goes "Kai high" for the slams

Of course what Jones does best is elevate, and throw the ball own with ferocity, something he did on several occasions against Venezuela. He needed just 15 seconds to get his first dunk, a drive and tone-setting two-handed jam that sent an already excited crowd into raptures. Jones rose high to catch an alley-oop pass and slammed it with two hands. He was electric on the break, too, sprinting ahead to catch a lob and dunk.

Spectacular at the end of the third

 The crowd was so excited about Jones that they videotaped his every move from the stands. On this shot, Jones rose high for a put-back dunk that ultimately didn't count but maybe should have.

FIBA