Roosevelt Jones
{{Short description|American basketball player (1993-)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Roosevelt Jones
| image = Roosevelt Jones 2014 (cropped).jpg
| image_size = 270px
| caption =
| position = Assistant coach
| team = Evansville Purple Aces
| league = Missouri Valley Conference
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lb = 225
| nationality = American
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|1|25}}
| birth_place = East St. Louis, Illinois
| death_date =
| death_place =
| highschool = O'Fallon Township
(O'Fallon, Illinois)
| college = Butler (2011–2016)
| draft_year = 2016
| career_start = 2016
| career_end = 2018
| career_number = 21, 12
| career_position = Forward
| coach_start = 2018
| coach_end =
| years1 = 2016–2018
| team1 = Canton Charge
| cyears1 = 2018–2020
| cteam1 = IU Kokomo (assistant)
| cyears2 = 2020–2022
| cteam2 = Indianapolis (assistant)
| cyears3 = 2022–2023
| cteam3 = Evansville (dir. basketball ops.)
| cyears4 = 2023–present
| cteam4 = Evansville (assistant)
| highlights = * 2× Second-team All-Big East (2015, 2016)
}}
Roosevelt Jones (born January 25, 1993) is an American basketball coach and former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for Butler. At O'Fallon Township High School, he led the team to the semifinals of Illinois' 2010 Class 4A state tournament. He was a three-star recruit ranked in the 2011 Rivals.com 150 and committed to playing for Butler. As a sophomore at Butler, Jones made a buzzer-beating shot to defeat Gonzaga and averaged 10.1. points per game. He missed the following season after tearing ligaments in his left wrist during a preseason trip to Australia. As a redshirt junior, Jones averaged 12.7 points per game and was named to the Second-team All-Big East. He repeated as second-team All-Big East as a senior, averaged 13.8 points per game, and had a rare triple-double in a February 6, 2016 win over St. John's. After his senior season, Jones was drafted by the Canton Charge of the NBA D-League and had 20 rebounds in a game, the fifth most in D-League (now G League) history. He announced his retirement from competitive basketball in August 2017 but returned to the game in January 2018.
Early life
Jones was born and raised in East St. Louis, Illinois, the son of Robert Jones Jr. and Vickie (Jones) Franklin. He has two older siblings, Robert Jones III and Tonia (Jones) Wiggins, and his brother and father are Baptist ministers. He moved to O'Fallon, Illinois as a child, and grew up playing a number of sports, including tennis and football. "Roosevelt was probably the clumsiest child that we had because he was very, very awkward," his father said. "But when a basketball entered his hands, that all changed."{{cite news|last=Woods|first=David|title=Butler season preview: Roosevelt Jones plays low, dreams big|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2015/11/10/butler-season-preview-roosevelt-jones-plays-low-dreams-big/75154514/|access-date=May 1, 2018|work=Indianapolis Star|date=November 10, 2015}} Jones developed his unorthodox playing style after his father enrolled him in a church league as a child and he could not get his shot off against older players. In eighth grade, he broke his wrist, permanently affecting his shot.{{cite news|last=Thamel|first=Pete |author-link=Pete Thamel |title=The Case for ... Roosevelt Jones |url=https://www.si.com/vault/2015/03/16/106745394/the-case-for--roosevelt-jones|access-date=May 2, 2018|work=Sports Illustrated|date=March 16, 2015}}
Jones attended O'Fallon Township High School, where he was coached by Rick Gibson. He took to weightlifting to fill out his "pencil-thin" frame and was the sophomore leader on a 14–15 team. As a junior he led O'Fallon to the semifinals of Illinois' 2010 Class 4A state tournament.{{cite news|last=Woods|first=David|title=Butler's Roosevelt Jones arrested for drunken driving, resisting arrest|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2017/11/07/butlers-roosevelt-jones-arrested-drunken-driving-resisting-arrest/842141001/|access-date=April 30, 2018|work=Indianapolis Star|date=November 7, 2017}} Jones had 22 points and 19 rebounds in that game, a 48–42 loss to Simeon Career Academy which featured Jabari Parker. He averaged 19.3 points and 12.1 rebounds per game that year.{{cite news|last=Eschman|first=Todd|title=Roosevelt Jones' NBA dream finds footing in developmental league|url=http://www.bnd.com/sports/college/article129712524.html|access-date=May 1, 2018|work=Belleville News-Democrat|date=January 30, 2017}} In his senior season, Jones averaged 17.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.9 steals and 1.1 blocked shots per game. He led O'Fallon to a 20–7 record and a win in the Southwestern Conference championship while being named to the All-Metro First Team.{{cite news|title=Roosevelt Jones, 6-5, sr., G, O'Fallon|url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/all-metro/boys-basketball/roosevelt-jones---sr-g-o-fallon/article_328d13d2-5721-11e0-9ae7-00127992bc8b.html|access-date=May 2, 2018|work=St. Louis Today|date=March 26, 2011}} He was a three-star recruit ranked in the 2011 Rivals 150th and the 33rd-best freshman small forward in his class.{{cite web|title=Basketball Recruiting – Roosevelt Jones – Player Profiles – ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/97948|work=ESPN|access-date=October 29, 2011}} Assistant coach Terry Johnson recruited Jones to Butler, but he did not notice Jones's poor shooting style due to his athleticism.{{cite news|last=Doyel|first=Gregg|title=The awkwardly awesome Roosevelt Jones|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2016/03/08/doyel-awkwardly-awesome-roosevelt-jones/81446658/|access-date=April 30, 2018|work=Indianapolis Star|date=March 8, 2016}} He received recruiting interest from Purdue, Iowa, Oklahoma State and Kansas, but stuck with Butler.
{{College Athlete Recruit Start|40=no|collapse=no|year=2011}}
{{College Athlete Recruit Entry
| recruit = Roosevelt Jones
| position = SF
| hometown = O'Fallon, IL
| highschool = O'Fallon Township HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 4
| weight = 210
| 40 =
| commitdate = 2010-Apr-29
| scout stars = 3
| rivals stars = 3
| espn grade =
| espn stars = 3
}}
|}
College career
In a win against Milwaukee on March 2, 2012, Jones tallied a season-high 17 points as well as 10 rebounds.{{cite news|title=Butler 71, Milwaukee 49|url=http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=320620270|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503042127/http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=320620270|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 3, 2018|access-date=May 2, 2018|work=ESPN|agency=Associated Press|date=March 2, 2012}} He averaged 7.8 points and a team-high 6.0 rebounds per game as a freshman.{{cite web|last=Welser|first=Joel|title=#66 Butler Men's Basketball 2012-13 Preview|url=http://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/4789|work=Top 144 Previews|publisher=College Sports Madness|access-date=September 12, 2012}} Jones was named to the Horizon League all-newcomer team.{{cite news|last=Eighinger|first=Steve|title=O'Fallon product Jones suffers injury, will miss season for Butler|url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/o-fallon-product-jones-suffers-injury-will-miss-season-for/article_95bec72c-15ae-11e3-a3a9-001a4bcf6878.html|access-date=May 2, 2018|work=St. Louis Today|date=September 4, 2013}} He had a memorable game on January 3, 2013, scoring a season-high 24 points in Butler's eighth straight win over Penn.{{cite news|title=Roosevelt Jones scores 24 points as No. 17 Butler wins eighth straight|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=330022086|access-date=May 2, 2018|work=ESPN|agency=Associated Press|date=January 2, 2013}} On January 22, he was named Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week after contributing 20 points, five rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal in a 64–63 upset over No. 8 Gonzaga for College GameDay in a game in which leading scorer Rotnei Clarke was sidelined. Jones stole the ball at midcourt with ten seconds to go and hit a ten-foot floater at the buzzer for the win.{{cite news |author=Mitch |first=Joe |date=January 22, 2013 |title=Butler's Jones is Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week |url=https://www.sportswriters.net/usbwa/news/2013/oscar130122.html |access-date=January 12, 2025 |work=sportswriters.net}} Jones was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team as a sophomore.{{cite news |date=March 12, 2013 |title=Wyatt, Crews, Weber, Christon Claim Top Men's Basketball Honors |url=http://www.atlantic10.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031213aaa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522130059/http://www.atlantic10.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031213aaa.html |archive-date=May 22, 2013 |access-date=April 30, 2018 |work=atlantic10.com}} He averaged 10.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game and led the team in assists, with 3.5 per game on a 27–9 team.{{cite news|last=Keefer|first=Zak|title=Butler's Roosevelt Jones will miss season with wrist injury|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/bigeast/2013/08/16/roosevelt-jones-butler-wrist-injury-torn-ligaments-out-for-season/2665077/|access-date=April 30, 2018|work=USA Today|date=August 16, 2013}}
On August 16, it was announced that Jones tore ligaments in his left wrist during a preseason trip to Australia and needed to undergo surgery that would force him to miss the entire 2013–14 season.{{cite news |last=Goodman |first=Jeff |date=August 16, 2013 |title=Roosevelt Jones will miss season |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9574092 |access-date=August 18, 2013 |work=ESPN.com}} He travelled with the team most of the year but missed the conference tournament as his Butler teammates struggled to a 14–17 season. In June, he was medically cleared to practice again.{{cite news|last=Pointer|first=Michael|title=Butler's Roosevelt Jones: Healthy and ready to go|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2014/10/06/mr-everything-has-recovered-from-wrist-injury/16818387/|access-date=April 30, 2018|work=Indianapolis Star|date=October 6, 2014}} Coming into his redshirt junior year, Jones was a preseason All-Big East Honorable Mention.{{cite news|title=Georgetown's Smith-Rivera Selected Big East Preseason Player of the Year|url=http://www.bigeast.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/102214aaa.html|access-date=October 27, 2014|date=October 22, 2014|publisher=Big East Conference|archive-date=November 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103161609/http://www.bigeast.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/102214aaa.html|url-status=dead}} On January 17, 2015, Jones scored a career-high 28 points in a 61–59 loss to Georgetown.{{cite news|title=Georgetown beats Butler in final seconds 61-59|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400588419|access-date=May 2, 2018|work=ESPN|agency=Associated Press|date=January 17, 2015}} He had 18 points, grabbed six rebounds and added six assists in a 58–56 win over Creighton on February 16, and hit the game-winning layup with 1.9 seconds remaining.{{cite news|last=Pointer|first=Michael|title=Butler outlasts Creighton: 'Obviously, Roosevelt (Jones) has ice in his veins'|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/butler-insider/2015/02/16/butler-outlasts-creighton-58-56/23534681/|access-date=May 1, 2018|work=Indianapolis Star|date=February 17, 2015}} Jones had 23 points in Butler's 67–64 loss to Notre Dame in the NCAA tournament despite playing with a strained knee.{{cite news|last=Doyel|first=Gregg|title=Roosevelt Jones' personal Toughman Contest not enough for Butler|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2015/03/22/butler-notre-dame-ncaa-tournament-classic-2015-overtime-roosevelt-jones/25174231/|access-date=April 30, 2018|work=Indianapolis Star|date=March 22, 2015}} As a junior, he averaged 12.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. He was named to the All-Big East Second Team.{{cite news|title=All-Big East Teams Announced |url=http://www.bigeast.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/030815aaa.html |access-date=March 8, 2015 |date=March 8, 2015 |publisher=Big East Conference |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317232013/http://www.bigeast.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/030815aaa.html |archive-date=March 17, 2015 }} Jones became known for his defense and his passing vision and rarely shooting outside {{convert|15|ft}}.{{cite news|last=Giles|first=Matt|title=To Butler's Delight, Roosevelt Jones Finds Way to Score|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/18/sports/ncaabasketball/to-butlers-delight-roosevelt-jones-floats-through-college.html|access-date=May 2, 2018|work=New York Times|date=March 17, 2015}}
File:Roosevelt Jones and Texas Tech.jpg in the 2016 NCAA tournament]]
Jones was a preseason All-Big East First Team selection as a senior.{{cite news|title=Providence's Kris Dunn Named Preseason Player of the Year|url=http://www.bigeast.com/news/2015/10/13/MBB_1013153109.aspx?path=mbball|access-date=December 7, 2015|date=October 14, 2015|publisher=Big East Conference}} He earned a spot on the Puerto Rico Tip-Off All-Tournament Team.{{cite news|title=Puerto Rico native Rodriguez Named Tourney MVP|url=http://espnevents.com/puerto-rico-tip-off/news-and-updates/puerto-rico-native-rodriguez-named-tourney-mvp/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151206043417/http://espnevents.com/puerto-rico-tip-off/news-and-updates/puerto-rico-native-rodriguez-named-tourney-mvp/|archive-date=December 6, 2015|access-date=December 9, 2015|date=November 23, 2015|publisher=ESPN}} On December 2, he hit a last-second shot to defeat 17th-ranked Cincinnati after teammate Kellen Dunham led a second-half comeback.{{cite news|title=Dunham rallies Butler over No. 17 Cincinnati 78-76|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400820610|access-date=May 2, 2018|work=ESPN|agency=Associated Press|date=Dec 2, 2015}} Jones was Big East Player of the Week for the week of December 19 after leading the Bulldogs to a 74–68 victory over ninth-ranked Purdue by tallying 19 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.{{cite news|title=Butler's Jones, Xavier's Sumner Earn MBB Weekly Honors|url=http://www.bigeast.com/news/2015/12/21/MBB_1221155033.aspx|access-date=December 21, 2015|date=December 21, 2015|publisher=Big East Conference}} Jones scored 20 points in a 60–55 loss to Villanova on January 10, 2016, despite spraining his wrist in practice before the game.{{cite news|last=Doyle|first=Gregg|title=Roosevelt Jones' late heroics not enough|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2016/01/10/doyel-roosevelt-jones-late-heroics-not-enough/78594246/|access-date=April 30, 2018|work=Indianapolis Star|date=January 10, 2016}} He hit his only three-pointer on January 30, a halfcourt heave before halftime in a game versus Marquette. On February 6, Jones recorded the first triple-double by a Butler player since 1984 with 10 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in a blowout victory over St. John's.{{cite news|title=Butler routs St. John's with big first half run as Roosevelt Jones leads the way with triple double|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2016/02/06/butler-routs-st-johns-with-big-first-half-run-as-roosevelt-jones-leads-the-way-with-triple-double/|access-date=April 30, 2018|work=New York Daily News|agency=Associated Press|date=February 6, 2016}} As a result, he was named CBS Sports National Player of the Week.{{cite news|last=Norlander|first=Matt|title=Butler's Roosevelt Jones wins player of the week after rare triple-double|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/butlers-roosevelt-jones-wins-player-of-the-week-after-rare-triple-double/|access-date=February 8, 2016|date=February 8, 2016|work=CBS Sports}} As a senior, Jones was selected to the All-Big East Second Team.{{cite news|title=Four Named Unanimously to MBB All-BIG EAST First Team|url=http://www.bigeast.com/news/2016/3/6/MBB_0306160917.aspx|access-date=March 8, 2016|date=March 6, 2016|publisher=Big East Conference}} He averaged 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. His 1,533 career points is twelfth highest in Butler history. Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts degrees in both strategic communications and digital media production.
Professional career
Jones was selected by the Canton Charge 16th overall in the 2016 NBA D-League draft.{{cite news|last=Woods|first=David|title=Cavs affiliate drafts Roosevelt Jones, giving Butler three in D-League|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2016/10/30/cavs-affiliate-drafts-roosevelt-jones-giving-butler-three-d-league/93026218/|access-date=April 30, 2018|work=Indianapolis Star|date=October 30, 2016}} He did not play very much to start his professional career due to a back strain and a minor leg injury, as well as the faster game. By December, Jones began logging more minutes, and had a 21-point, 13-rebound performance on January 11 against the Santa Cruz Warriors. He scored 15 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, fifth most in D-League history, in a 114–107 loss to Grand Rapids Drive on February 2.{{cite news|last=Popovich|first=Mike|title=Roosevelt Jones doing everything for Charge|url=http://www.cantonrep.com/sports/20170203/roosevelt-jones-doing-everything-for-charge|access-date=May 2, 2018|work=Canton Repository|date=February 7, 2017}} He started 35 games in his rookie year with the Charge and averaged 6.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. However, in August 2017 he announced his retirement from basketball due to "unbearable" back pain.{{cite news|last=Woods|first=David|title=Back pain ends hoops career of Butler's Roosevelt Jones|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2017/08/13/back-pain-ends-hoops-career-butlers-roosevelt-jones/563422001/|access-date=April 30, 2018|work=Indianapolis Star|date=August 13, 2017}}
On November 6, Jones was charged with drunken driving and resisting arrest as his blood alcohol level was measured at .185. He was found asleep behind the wheel of an automobile in O'Fallon, Illinois and taken into police custody. Jones came out of retirement in January 2018 and rejoined the Charge.{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Adam|title=Source: Roosevelt Jones signs NBA G League Contract|url=https://2ways10days.com/source-roosevelt-jones-signs-nba-g-league-contract-6589ac737478|website=2Ways10Days|date=8 January 2018|access-date=April 30, 2018}} Jones missed a game against the Erie BayHawks due to an undisclosed injury in February. He averaged 4.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in his second season.{{cite news |last=Pointer |first=Michael |date=March 12, 2018 |title=Roosevelt Jones: Misses Sunday's game |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2014/10/06/mr-everything-has-recovered-from-wrist-injury/16818387/ |access-date=April 30, 2018 |work=CBS Sports}}
Coaching career
On July 19, 2018, Jones was named an assistant coach at Indiana University Kokomo, an NAIA institution. His roles include recruiting coordinator and director of player development initiatives, while contributing to on-court coaching and scouting. Head coach Eric Echelbarger said that Jones "has an unbelievable passion for teaching the game, and his Indianapolis-area connections will be a great asset in our recruiting efforts."{{cite news |title=Roosevelt Jones named men's basketball assistant coach |url=http://kokomoperspective.com/sports/roosevelt-jones-named-men-s-basketball-assistant-coach/article_b5d17b92-89ce-11e8-8f54-876d23102569.html |access-date=August 23, 2018 |work=Kokomo Perspective |date=July 19, 2018}} In his first season, Jones helped the team to a 26–8 record and a berth in the NAIA Division II Sweet 16. Following the season he was promoted to associate head coach, with an emphasis on teaching defense.{{cite news |last=Woods |first=David |title=Roosevelt Jones bringing his Butler grit and smarts to IU Kokomo basketball |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2019/10/24/ex-butler-star-roosevelt-jones-bringing-grit-smarts-iu-kokomo-basketball/4064910002/ |access-date=January 2, 2020 |work=Indianapolis Star |date=October 24, 2019}} In the 2019–20 season, Jones helped the Cougars achieve a 27–7 record and reach the Sweet 16 of the NAIA tournament before the season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.{{cite news |last=Rans |first=Jacqueline |title=IU Kokomo men's basketball season ends abruptly |url=http://kokomoperspective.com/sports/iu-kokomo-men-s-basketball-season-ends-abruptly/article_db3c88ec-6ddc-11ea-9443-57e97eed0122.html |access-date=April 21, 2020 |work=Kokomo Perspective |date=March 24, 2020}}
For the 2020–21 season, Jones joined the coaching staff at the University of Indianapolis under Paul Corsaro.{{cite news |last=Ray |first=Olivia |title=Former Butler basketball star returns home to coach at UIndy |url=https://www.wishtv.com/sports/college-basketball/former-butler-basketball-star-returns-home-to-coach-at-uindy/ |access-date=July 3, 2021 |work=WISHTV |date=July 27, 2020}} In the 2021–22 season, Jones helped the Greyhounds finish 19–11 and reach its first-ever appearance in the GLVC tournament championship game. In June 2022, he was named director of basketball operations at Evansville under David Ragland.{{cite news |last=Hancock |first=Aaron |title=Former Butler basketball star Roosevelt Jones joins UE coaching staff |url=https://www.14news.com/2022/06/05/former-butler-basketball-star-rosevelt-jones-joins-ue-coaching-staff/ |access-date=March 19, 2024 |work=14 News |date=June 5, 2022}} Jones was promoted to assistant coach at Evansville in July 2023.{{cite news |last=Erickson |first=Ethan |title=St. Louisan Roosevelt Jones earns promotion to assistant basketball coach at Evansville |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/basketball/st-louisan-roosevelt-jones-earns-promotion-to-assistant-basketball-coach-at-evansville/article_16772a30-1c6b-11ee-876c-73aecbda66fa.html |access-date=March 19, 2024 |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=July 7, 2023}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://butlersports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1235&path=mbball Butler Bulldogs bio]
- [http://dleague.nba.com/player/roosevelt-jones/ NBA D League Profile]
- [https://www.iukcougars.com/roster/16/1/855 IU Kokomo profile]
- [https://athletics.uindy.edu/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/roosevelt-jones/1480 Indianapolis Greyhounds profile]
- [https://gopurpleaces.com/staff-directory/roosevelt-jones/388 Evansville Purple Aces bio]
- {{twitter|rozayyjones21}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Roosevelt}}
Category:American men's basketball coaches
Category:American men's basketball players
Category:Basketball coaches from Illinois
Category:Butler Bulldogs men's basketball players
Category:Canton Charge players
Category:Forwards (basketball)
Category:Evansville Purple Aces men's basketball coaches
Category:Indianapolis Greyhounds men's basketball coaches
Category:IU Kokomo Cougars men's basketball coaches