STEVE_MCLAUGHLIN

Credit: Steve McLaughlin Photography, CCSU Athletics

Height may matter for some people, but it doesn’t mean a thing to Jordan Jones. The crafty and explosive 6-foot senior is here to make his final stand.

The South Carolina native stayed home for his first three years in college, playing Division II basketball at Coker University. Transferring from a Division II school to a Division I is not easy at all, but Jordan is ready for the task, he said.

“It’s a transition for sure; division changes and different parts of the game that you just know are different,” Jones said. “Division II is not that much of a skill difference, but just different parts of the game like speed and different heights of players.”

He made giant leaps towards developing his game during his three years at Coker. He started 28 games, averaging 15 points, four rebounds, and six assists per game.

“Every year was a year of development,” Jones said. “My freshman year, I was playing behind a really good guard that was a senior guard at my school, so I just had to learn from him. Then, my sophomore year, when I was actually able to touch the court, it was a process of learning.”

Jones is ready for his senior season and is prepared to face every challenge, he said.

“My senior year coming up, I have been able to know my spots, I know where to find my bigs, I know where to find my shooters, and every year has been a year of development,” Jones said. “I’ve been able to learn from other players and coaches, soak in the wisdom, and just get better at my game.”

After meeting with and talking to CCSU’s head coach, Patrick Sellers, Jones knew CCSU was the best place for him to finish his collegiate career.

“Coaches will recruit and tell you certain things that won’t happen. They’ll get you to the school, promise you this, promise you that, but Coach didn’t promise me anything,” Jones said. “He just said I see potential in your game. You’re a really good player, and I know that you can help my team.”

Division I basketball is the land of the big men and guards that are 6-foot-5. Jordan said he doesn’t care about that and he plays the game the only way he knows.

“Grit, just heart, passion, coming from Division II, I don’t take anything for granted,” Jones said. “I’m going to play my heart out on defense every possession. My people, my family, they know that I’m here for a purpose, and I’m not going to let any of them down and that this right here is a blessing, and I don’t take anything for granted.”

Jones said he wants to be an impact player for the Blue Devils in the upcoming season, his team-first mindset fits right in with the rest of the team.

“Win, that’s it, win. We are not laying down to anybody; it doesn’t matter,” Jones said. “We got Rhode Island first, and we’re the underdog going in, but we don’t think like that. We’re coming in to win against everybody.”