Pittsburg's Shawndale Jones Jr thriving since joining Ballincollig
Shawndale Jones rises to score for Irish Guidedogs Ballincollig @MTU at MTU. Picture: Larry Cummins
WHEN Shawndale Jones Jr came to Ireland last September to make his professional debut with Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU little did anyone know the impact the Pittsburg native would have on his teammates and the InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Super League.
He led his team to the InsureMyHouse.ie Pat Duffy Cup final last January, but lost out to UCC Demons despite the high-flying guard top scoring in Tallaght. However, they dusted themselves down and are in contention to retain the league crown in the coming weeks.
Jones had a stellar career at the Kiski High School before going to the New Jersey Institute of Technology for a two-year period in 2017. He then transferred to Indiana University of Pennsylvania for four years where he averaged 19.2 points per game. He was a three-time PSAC Tournament winner, an NABC DII All-American, D2CCA All-American Honorable Mention, NABC All-Atlantic District, PSAC West Athlete of the Year, All-PSAC First Team, a participant in the NABC DII Reese's All-Star game, won the PSAC Tournament MVP and scored 1,000 points during both his collegiate career at NJIT and at IUP in 2022-23.
Quite a list of accolades.
“I always wanted to play professional basketball overseas and when the Ballincollig club coaches Ciarían and Daniel O’Sullivan reached out to my former coach Joe Lombardi, it was then my dream became a reality.
“He then mentioned it to my teammate Dave Morris, who I played with at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for four years, that a club in Ireland wanted to sign both of us, it was an easy decision to make.
“I am enjoying my time in Ireland as I really didn’t know what to expect when we arrived, but I really settled very quickly, however, unfortunately Dave didn’t as he struggled by missing his family and returned home."
Morris was replaced by Jordan Campbell, and then the returning Andre Nation after Campbell's season was brought to an abrupt end by an ankle injury.
"When you are winning games it makes things easier when you’re away from home, however, my new teammates made me feel so welcome and I love the community. They have all embraced me as one of their own from the very first day I arrived and I must say that I really belong to the Village now.
"I think the team are doing pretty well and we have improved our total wins from last year to this year and we also have competed in a cup final. We’ve put ourselves in a great situation for the playoffs and hopefully we can finish the year in style by bringing the league title back to the Village for the second consecutive season.
"I don’t think any of the professional players really have stood out to me but Paul Dick was the standout Irish player for me. He is so slick and can do so many things on the floor that can help his team get over the line in tight games."
With the playoff for the Super League title up for grabs the 6' 3" Jones will be hoping that his team has peaked at the right time.
Shawndale can get downhill quickly to the rim through contact to score.
He can nail the big shots, plays solid defense, but more importantly, he always makes himself available for the ball when the game is on the line which is a sign of a great player.
Since he came to Ireland, Jones has filled the stat sheet for the Village averaging 23.2 points per game, 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists with a 23.2 efficiency.
"I’m delighted that we are having a winning record throughout this season and are competing for the League Championship, however, the low point of the season was losing in the cup finals that really was raw for a few weeks.
"My plans are to continue to play professional basketball for as long as I possibly can, wherever that will take me and I would like to thank my parents Shawndale Sr and Iesha, my siblings Eddie, Jayden, A’maury, Meleek, A’niyah, Jordin and Raymond who have all supported me throughout my career and also my coaches from back home as well as here in Ireland."
App?
