Over the summer I had the privilege of interviewing one of the most magnetic personalities in the history of Southern Utah University, Ray Jones Jr. It was, without a doubt, one of the most entertaining interviews I have ever been a part of.
I first met Ray three days ago on SUU campus. He greeted me with a smile and introduced himself as I walked through the student center. When I asked what he was up to, he responded, “Just fraternizing, man.”
Since I started working for the SUU Athletic Department, I have heard quite a bit about the great Ray Jones Jr. In meetings, administrators have said things along the lines of, “If we had more athletes like Ray we wouldn’t have a hard time getting people to games.”
It was a little hard for me to imagine how a single athlete could have such a big impact on an entire athletics department unless they were All-American caliber while baby sitting kids for the booster club and president of the student body. It just didn’t make sense.
It didn’t make sense, at least, not until I hung out with Ray.
Every summer for the past three years, Cedar City has welcomed back a familiar face with open arms. One of the most captivating athletes in the history of SUU, Ray Jones Jr. always looks forward to coming home to Thunderbird territory.
“I can’t wait to come back every year,” said Jones. “I can’t say enough about how much I love and appreciate the people here, the coaches, the fans. I’m so blessed to be in a situation where I’m surrounded by so many that love me and treat me like their own.”
Ray Jones Jr. played basketball at SUU from 2010-2012. During his two seasons as the starting point guard for the Thunderbirds, Jones led the team in steals and assists. But the community fondly remembers Jones just as much for his outgoing and engaging personality, as they do for his on-court accolades.
Thunderbirds Assistant Athletic Director, Kyle Newhouse, stated, “With Ray it was about so much more than basketball. He had such a vibrant personality, people loved to be around him and he was friends with everyone. People came to games to see him just as much to watch the game.”
Since graduating from SUU, Jones has played professional basketball in Europe. His first professional season ended prematurely, however, as he suffered a torn Achilles tendon. This experience further strengthened his bond with SUU, as he returned to Cedar City for his rehab.
“When I tore my Achilles, the entire coaching staff brought me in and helped me rehab and become an all-around better player. Coach Nick (Robinson) and his staff took me in even though I never played a single game for them.”
Jones has since played for teams in Germany, and most recently, back in Slovakia. This past season Jones joined a team that finished last in their league the previous year. Jones led his squad to a second place finish while leading the league in steals and assists, and ranked second in scoring.
About his time playing in Europe, Jones said, “It has been a great experience because it has made me realize how fortunate I’ve been my entire life. I have so much and have been blessed with so much. It has just made me so grateful for all I have.”
Perhaps the thing Jones is most grateful for from his time at SUU is the friendships he forged while he was here.
“It was the fan base that kept me going while I was here, I still even have signs that fans made,” said Jones. “I’ll never forget my senior night when I went out and saw all the people in the stands standing up. It was amazing and so hard to hold back the tears knowing this would be the last time I’d be able to perform for the SUU family. I knew there was no way I could ever let them all know how thankful I was for giving me the opportunity to play here.”
That feeling of family and love has followed Jones throughout his travels.
“You don’t ever stop being a Thunderbird. Being a Thunderbird means to never stop attacking and giving your all. It means being confident in who you are and what you’re doing. It’s about being part of the T-Bird family and representing everyone who has been here and everyone who will be here.”
Ray Jones Jr. will spend the 2015-2016 season competing in the Slovak Extraliga, the highest level of professional basketball in Slovakia. Thunderbird fans can follow Jones pursue his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA on Twitter @Ray_Jones_Jr.
Hayden Coombs 