Jordon Jones was relegated to the rare role of spectator.
On a blistering hot day back in late August, as Scotland Campus labored through a series of arduous hill runs and grit-gauging cardio workouts, Jones was forced to rest on a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
The injury was sustained during the Havre De Grace, MD. native’s senior season at Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Fast forward five months later.
After shedding 15 pounds and working at a steady rate to get his body in tip-top shape, Jones was the most imposing player on the court during Scotland Campus’ 87-77 win over Perkiomen Prep at Chambersburg High School.
With the Knights showing some residual effects of a long Christmas/New Year’s layoff and forcing a number of errant shots throughout a woeful first half, Jones’ commanding presence willed Scotland to the victory in the second half. This performance erased a rather forgettable first half and simultaneously counterpunched the hot shooting of Chris Arcidiacano, who scored a game-best 33 points.
A deceptively strong 6-foot-7 forward, Jones bulldozed defenders to the rim and finished through contact. He carved out real estate upfront, creating space necessary as he scored around the rim. A fourth and fifth option during the team’s previous nine games, Jones was suddenly truck-like. He registered a powerful presence with his ability to seal defenders off and find open looks at point-blank.
He would finish with a game-best 20 points, a portent of things to come for the Class of 2019 prospect.
Mobile, crafty and boasting a game predicated less on flash and more on grit and hustle, the 220-pound Jones’ play mirrored Scotland’s rise to a No.1 prep national ranking and first-ever berth in the Prep National title game.
“The process started out slow as I was not able to play to my fullest, said Jones, who scored 11 points in Scotland’s 78-54 thrashing of IMG Academy and followed it up with seven rebounds and five steals in an 88-83 victory over Mount Zion Prep (MD) in the inaugural Military Circuit at Massanutten Military Academy.
“It was really just a matter of staying focused and not letting anything discourage myself. It started out as a major challenge. You just have to pace yourself well and try not to overdue anything, because that would basically just set you back in the process.”
The process of darting his way to the starting lineup for No.1 nationally ranked Scotland Campus wasn’t as tricky. Jones played an integral role on the glass and got free for timely buckets during the National Prep Showcase, helping the then unsung Knights to loud upsets of national heavy hitters Northfield Mount Hermon (MA) and Macduffie (MA).
Onward and upward Jones went in establishing himself as an interior bruiser, providing a reliable support system for Pitt-bound Karim Coulibaly.
Head Coach Chris Chaney, who coached a team higher on depth and lower on star power, utilized additional help with 6-foot-9 Blake Owens and 6-foot-10 Chris Maidoh.
Jones is no stranger to a deep support system, as his bloodline would indicate. Older brother Jarred Jones scored 1100+ points and recorded 600+ rebounds during a memorable career at Loyola Maryland. A multi-positional 6-foot-7 forward, Jarred Jones is currently playing professionally in Finland. He upped his stock following his 2017-18 campaign in Germany, during which he averaged 20.9 points and 7.4 boards.
Jones’ sister, Brionna Jones, is known for her legendary career at Maryland and currently plays with the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA and overseas. She averaged 17.7 points and 10.8 rebounds during the playoffs, helping lead a top tier Russian team to a Women’s EuroCup Title.
Is there pressure to match sibling success?
“Not at all, it’s all support,” said Jordon Jones. “It’s great coming from a basketball family where all my brothers and sisters played at a high level. You get to see all the work you need to put in, to really achieve what they have. It is also very competitive, since all of us hate to lose. We always have good battles to the point where it can get a little physical. But hey– it’s all love.”
