On Friday, Dontae Jones was named Mississippi State's 2017 SEC Legend.
Jones Named 2017 SEC Legend
January 20, 2017 | Men's Basketball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Dontae Jones played just one year at Mississippi State, but what an impact the Nashville product made.
He guided the Bulldogs to the 1996 SEC Tournament crown en route to the school's first Final Four appearance following thrilling wins against Connecticut and Cincinnati.
On Friday, the former first-round pick of the New York Knicks was named a 2017 SEC Legend. He'll be recognized at halftime of MSU's first game at the SEC Tournament in Nashville.
"The SEC was the only conference I ever wanted to play in," Jones said. "I always gave my best on the floor so I could be satisfied and accept the outcome, win or lose. Now, this recognition further assures that all that hard work paid off. Hail State."
In his lone year at Mississippi State, Jones averaged 14.7 points and 6.8 rebounds and was third on the team with 24 made 3-pointers. He totaled 20-plus points seven times, with his career-high of 28 coming against Kentucky in the finals of the SEC Tournament in New Orleans to go along with his 11 rebounds.
He was also instrumental against Cincinnati, as he scored 23 points to propel MSU to the Final Four, where he had 16 points and 6 rebounds in the loss to Syracuse.
Jones, who concluded his NBA career with the Boston Celtics, now resides in Nashville and works with inner-city youth.
"He's one of the most talented players I had the good fortune to coach," said Richard Williams, Jones' coach at MSU. "As the season progressed and we got to know each other, he was really fun to be around. He was also good at keeping thinks light in the locker room and sometimes on the floor.
"I'm so proud of Dontae, not only for what he did at Mississippi State and in pro ball, but for what he does for the youth in Nashville and teaching them the game of basketball."
2017 SEC Legends
George Linn, Alabama
Oliver Miller, Arkansas
Marquis Daniels, Auburn
Matt Bonner, Florida
Jimmy Pitts, Georgia
Keith Bogans, Kentucky
Tasmin Mitchell, LSU
Jason Harrison, Ole Miss
Dontae' Jones, Mississippi State
Jon Sundvold, Missouri
Bobby Cremins, South Carolina
Ron Slay, Tennessee
Acie Law IV, Texas A&M
Barry Booker, Vanderbilt
He guided the Bulldogs to the 1996 SEC Tournament crown en route to the school's first Final Four appearance following thrilling wins against Connecticut and Cincinnati.
On Friday, the former first-round pick of the New York Knicks was named a 2017 SEC Legend. He'll be recognized at halftime of MSU's first game at the SEC Tournament in Nashville.
"The SEC was the only conference I ever wanted to play in," Jones said. "I always gave my best on the floor so I could be satisfied and accept the outcome, win or lose. Now, this recognition further assures that all that hard work paid off. Hail State."
In his lone year at Mississippi State, Jones averaged 14.7 points and 6.8 rebounds and was third on the team with 24 made 3-pointers. He totaled 20-plus points seven times, with his career-high of 28 coming against Kentucky in the finals of the SEC Tournament in New Orleans to go along with his 11 rebounds.
He was also instrumental against Cincinnati, as he scored 23 points to propel MSU to the Final Four, where he had 16 points and 6 rebounds in the loss to Syracuse.
Jones, who concluded his NBA career with the Boston Celtics, now resides in Nashville and works with inner-city youth.
"He's one of the most talented players I had the good fortune to coach," said Richard Williams, Jones' coach at MSU. "As the season progressed and we got to know each other, he was really fun to be around. He was also good at keeping thinks light in the locker room and sometimes on the floor.
"I'm so proud of Dontae, not only for what he did at Mississippi State and in pro ball, but for what he does for the youth in Nashville and teaching them the game of basketball."
2017 SEC Legends
George Linn, Alabama
Oliver Miller, Arkansas
Marquis Daniels, Auburn
Matt Bonner, Florida
Jimmy Pitts, Georgia
Keith Bogans, Kentucky
Tasmin Mitchell, LSU
Jason Harrison, Ole Miss
Dontae' Jones, Mississippi State
Jon Sundvold, Missouri
Bobby Cremins, South Carolina
Ron Slay, Tennessee
Acie Law IV, Texas A&M
Barry Booker, Vanderbilt