Aaron Wiggins sees similarities in Dillon Jones' NBA journey

The two Oklahoma City Thunder rookies showed their strengths in a preseason game. Dillon Jones and Ajay Mitchell had a strong second half that led them to a narrow win over the San Antonio Spurs.

It was a nice holdover from their summer league games, where they looked more like NBA veterans than fresh-faced rookies.

Because of OKC's depth, Jones and Mitchell likely won't see much action in their first year with a title contender. But an 82-game season brings surprises. Both were able to see some playing time during the grueling season just to have some fresh talent at their disposal.

When situations like this arise, Aaron Wiggins believes Jones and Mitchell can contribute right away.

“They have what it takes to be successful in the league. “These guys are great players, both on and off the ball,” Wiggins said. “You have to respect them defensively.” They compete. They have everything they need to be successful.

Wiggins — who found himself in a similar situation in his rookie season — praised Jones for his preparedness. The 22-year-old went to training camp with a notepad full of questions. The Weber State product certainly lives by the saying that you can't be fed with your mouth closed.

“Dillon is just very curious. He will ask a few small questions – for example about a certain lineup. He'll ask, 'What do you think of this lineup?' “He asks about specific spots on the floor, times to cut, with the ball in your hands, first reads, types of reads to make,” Wiggins said. “He’s a really smart player. He wants to acquire as much knowledge as possible day by day.”

The 25-year-old sees similarities in Jones' path to the league. He believes his four years in college helped him gain a perspective that most rookies only add after their first year in the NBA.

“You can see his age and I know he’s a rookie but similar to me. I came in when I was 22 and went to college for a few years,” Wiggins said. “I think it gives you a little more understanding that when you come into the league you have to take your time and learn a lot and develop.”

The Jones and Mitchells hype train is getting faster and faster. While both will likely be out of OKC's rotation early in the season, they could force Mark Daigneault's move with a productive preseason and G League stints in the first few months of the year.

“(Jones is) willing to just be open like a sponge and learn as much as he can,” Wiggins said.

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Aaron Wiggins sees similarities in Dillon Jones' NBA journey