Brandeis Gets a Steal in SCA’s Jones
In the most competitive division III conferences in the country, scholarship level talent is a requisite for potential success.
Brandeis University, which competes in the prestigious University Athletic Association, got that and more with a recent commitment from Commonwealth Academy's Chandler Jones.
Jones had picked up multiple division I offers in the past and still had commitable full athletic scholarship offers on the table, but ultimately decided that an education from university like Brandeis was too much to turn down.
A four year starter, this season he averaged 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists while helping the Tornadoes to an overall record a 21-8 and earning one of the first five invitations to the National Prep Championship.
While he should be an immediate impact player for the Owls, the marriage should be a mutually beneifical one to say the least.
A local Springfield native, Jones began his career at Springfield Central High School where he struggled academically.
"When Chandler came in, he was an insecure Springfield kid," Commonwealth Acadmey head coach Tony Bergeron said. "He had really no confidence in himself academically, or even athletically."
After four years of being pushed, driven, and supported by the campus community, including head of school Dr. Marcus L. Ware, Jones is now set to graduate with a 3.4 GPA.
As a result, he's heading to a university that is ranked among the top 40 in the country by U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, and Time.
"In 17 years of coaching, I think this is the best college placement I've had," Bergeron said. "It's a great story for our city and Chandler has set a great example for other kids in the city to look up to."
Chandler Jones