Since the future of USF junior G Dominique Jones is sure to be a hot topic the next few weeks, I’d like to offer a look at what Jones’ rookie season in the NBA might look like next season should he opt to enter the NBA Draft

This is a basketball-only comparison. Most players who opt to leave school early for the NBA do so because of money, and quite frankly, I’m not one of those folks who criticize a college athlete for turning pro when he can become an instant millionaire by signing on the dotted line.

However, I always appreciate when great college athletes such as Peyton Manning, Tyler Hansbrough, Grant Hill and Tim Tebow return for their senior seasons despite the allure of instant financial security by turning pro.

With that said, former Florida State G Toney Douglas offers a good comparison to Jones.

Douglas is now a rookie with the New York Knicks. He flirted with the idea of entering the NBA Draft in 2008 but decided to return to FSU for his senior season.

Douglas stayed to improve his draft stock and to help the Seminoles do something they hadn’t done since Douglas was in elementary school: make the NCAA Tournament.

A 6-foot-2, 205-pound combo guard coming out of FSU, Douglas made a wise decision. He finished last season as runner-up for ACC Player of the Year and led the Seminoles to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 11 years, helping the Noles become the last team to beat eventual-national champion North Carolina in the ACC Tourney.

Douglas was the Lakers’ first-round pick in the 2009 draft—29th player overall—and his rights were immediately traded to the Knicks.

In 38 games, Douglas has had his moments, but is averaging a modest 5.9 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game for one of the NBA’s worst teams.

Jones, also considered a combo guard, is listed at 6-4, 205 pounds.

Jones is not as quick as Douglas nor as good a on-the-ball defender—defensive-minded FSU coach Leonard Hamilton calls Douglas the best on-the-ball defender he’s ever coached—but Jones is stronger and more athletic around the basket.

Here are Douglas’ stats as a senior at FSU: 21.5 points, 2.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.17 assists-to-turnover ratio, 44.6 FG%, 81.0 FT%, 38.5 percent from 3-point range.

Here are Jones’ stats this season at USF: 21.3 points, 3.7 assists, 6.2 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.23 assists-to-turnover ratio, 45.1 FG%, 75.3 FT%, 31.1 percent from 3-point range.

As you can see, the two compare favorably from a statistical standpoint and in physical qualities.

Douglas, the state’s highest-drafted player last season, is the better outside shooter—he shot significantly more 3-pointers than Jones—and a better ball-handler. Both are very good at creating their own shots, but Jones is the better rebounder and more physical player.

If Jones does come out, he is projected to be selected right around where Douglas was. He’ll also face many of the same challenges as Douglas. Neither are true point guards, and neither have the size of most NBA 2-guards and small forwards.

That’s why players like Douglas and Jones have a difficult time developing long-term success at the NBA level.

So, while Jones can earn the instant paycheck by turning pro, he could be riding the pine for a bad NBA team next season like Douglas is this season. If he stays, he could do what Douglas did at FSU—play in the NCAA Tournament and raise his stock to where at least he is getting paid better to sit on the bench as a NBA rookie.