James Jones Returns To Connecticut
Earlier this week, Worcester Academy/NY Renaissance 2024 wing James Jones commits to Central Connecticut State for the next chapter of his basketball career.
The decision came despite also receiving offers from Siena, Wagner, FDU, St. Peter’s, Sacred Heart, Penn, Columbia, Indiana State, Manhattan, Holy Cross, and Bryant throughout his journey.
Jones has been on our radar for quite some time, spending four years with CIAC powerhouse East Catholic, where he won back-to-back CIAC Division I State Championships, also earning MVP honors for both.
In the 2023 championship game, he tallied a remarkable 24 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks to lead East Catholic to their second consecutive CIAC Division I State Championship.
He earned countless recognitions throughout his time with the Eagles, earning multiple 2023 Connecticut Player of the Year honors, as well as HoopHall Classic MVP, back-to-back All-State CIAC, CT Coaches All-Star MVP, and many more.
Following this successful run, he announced that he would be doing a post-grad year at Worcester Academy to compete in the elite NEPSAC Class-AA conference with mostly powerhouse programs.
Before making his debut with the Hilltoppers, he continued his success into the grassroots season with BABC, catching our scouts’ attention at the Northeast Hoop Festival in April, noting his elite athleticism, ball-handling moves, consistent sharp-shooting, and defensive IQ. He would compete with NY Renaissance later that summer, still seeing success.
Currently a top-20 prospect in Massachusetts and top-50 in New England for the class of 2024, he continued his dominance throughout this past year with Worcester. By the end of the year, he led the Hilltoppers in rebounds, assists, and steals.
Some of his biggest performances came during the National Prep Championship Series, including a near double-double with 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks in a tough battle with Blair Academy at the National Prep Showcase in November.
Even more notably, he also tallied a near triple-double with 11 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals in a blowout victory over powerhouse CATS Academy at the HoopHall Prep Showcase in January.
After what can certainly be described as a successful year of New England prep basketball, it comes as no surprise that we’ll be seeing James Jones competing at the Division I level in the Northeast Conference with the CCSU Blue Devils.
James Jones