Is this really Kevin Jones’ last TBT? While there are rumors Jones will be stepping away after this year’s tournament, it doesn’t appear like he’s showing any signs of slowing down.
The former Mountaineer, and clear leader of the latest edition of Best Virginia, put up a line of 22 points and 12 rebounds in his team’s thrilling first round win on Tuesday night. After the game, he was asked directly about retirement and tried to just keep the focus on the moment instead of confirming anything.
“I just want to have fun. Just getting to know these guys and be one of the older guys on the team, that’s the best part,” said Jones during the postgame press conference.
And as Jones, who is playing in his fourth TBT going back to the team’s inception in 2019, his head coach James Long immediately jumped in and rattled off Jones’ stats in the game, joking it certainly looks like the oldest member of the team still has plenty left in the tank.
The newest member of Best Virginia and the star of the night Erik Stevenson could be seen laughing and smirking just a couple seats away at the podium. It was evident everyone involved wants Jones to keep at it as long as possible.
Jones’ leadership and size are two things Best Virginia needs to keep around as long as they can. And regardless if returns next year or not, the former Mountaineer has the opportunity to become even more of a West Virginia legend if he can claim a TBT championship.
The now 33-year-old is obviously no stranger to leading a team representing West Virginia through a tournament. He played a key role on the 2010 Final Four team, one of only two WVU teams to ever advance that far in the NCAA Tournament. The New York native averaged 19.9 points and 10.9 rebounds on 51 percent shooting as a senior. That year Jones was named a Consensus All-American.
Jones left West Virginia as one of two Mountaineers to score at least 1,800 points and pull down 1,000 rebounds during his collegiate career, earning him enshrinement in the WVU Sports Hall of Fame. He then embarked on a professional career that’s taken him all over the world, including 32 NBA games for the Cleveland Cavaliers and most recently playing with the Sun Rockers Shibuya of the B League in Tokyo.
Jones, along with fellow TBT veteran John Flowers, represents tons of nostalgia for West Virginia fans. And no matter whatever happens with the basketball program moving forward, that team and that run will always hold. special place in the hearts and minds of Mountaineer Nation.
Watch the full press conference after Best Virginia’s first round win below.
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