Murray State University Athletics
MSU great Popeye Jones realizes dream with graduation
1/13/2006 6:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jones, speaking from his home in Denver, Colo., hopes more former MSU student-athletes will complete their degrees.
Jones graduated with a bachelor's degree in independent studies from MSU with an emphasis in occupational safety and health. Like many students and student-athletes who have left campus, Jones worked with the MSU Continuing Education department to finish his degree.
"This is a big deal for me," said Jones, who is a native of nearby Dresden, Tenn. "I always wanted to finish college, and wanted my degree to come from Murray State. As a former Murray State athlete, becoming an alumnus of the school meant so much to me.
"Murray State is a place that took a chance on a 300-pound small-town boy that many universities thought couldn't be successful in basketball. It also is the place where I met many great friends, families, and became a man."
Jones wasn't able to attend commencement ceremonies, but was thrilled to have his degree from MSU.
"I always felt that after four years there, I had some unfinished business, but not any more," he said.
Jones led the nation in rebounding in the 1990-91 season and ended his career at MSU with 2,057 points and 1,374 rebounds.
He was also a three-time OVC Tournament MVP and was named the OVC's Player of the Year twice (1990, 1991) and the OVC's Athlete of the Year twice (1991, 1992).
Jones was drafted in the National Basketball Association in 1992 as the 14th pick of the second round, but played in Milan, Italy, for one season before the Dallas Mavericks signed him in time for the 1993-94 season.
Jones played two seasons for Dallas and had the best season of his pro career there in 1994-95 when he scored 825 points and a 10.3 per-game average. He also had 844 rebounds and a 10.5 per-game average.
After Dallas, Jones played for Toronto for two seasons, then spent a season in Boston and another in Denver.
One of the highlights of Popeye's career was the two seasons he spent in Washington as a teammate of the great Michael Jordan during the 2001-02 and 2002-03 campaigns.
Jones played again with Dallas in 2003-04, and his last season was with Golden State in 2004-05, when he played only five games due to injury. In all, Popeye Jones spent 11 seasons on NBA rosters and finished with 535 games played, 3,726 points and 3,981 rebounds.
Jones is glad to have enjoyed a long professional career, and now wants to pursue a career coaching the game.
"After finishing my playing career at MSU, which I call the third part of my life (first part: life through high school and second part: college), I'm ready to start the fourth part of my life, which would be becoming successful basketball coach," he said.
Jones lives in Denver with his wife, Amy. The couple has three children: Justin, 15; Seth, 11; and Caleb, 8.
