Weber State University Athletics
Photo courtesy of Oklahoma City Thunder
Dillon Jones introduced by the Oklahoma City Thunder
6/29/2024 10:47:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Jones was officially introduced as a new member of the Thunder after being drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft.
Dillon Jones is officially a Thunder. A few days after being drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft, Weber State's Dillon Jones was introduced to the media and public Saturday afternoon in Oklahoma City. He also did interviews with media from Utah.Â
"It's been crazy and still doesn't feel real," Jones said about his whirlwind week. "It's hit me but not fully set in but I'm excited to be here."
Jones was drafted 26th overall in the first round of the draft. The Thunder traded five future second round picks to move into the 26th spot to draft Jones.Â
He became just the second player in Weber State history to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft, joining NBA superstar Damian Lillard. Jones is the 17th player in WSU history to be drafted.Â
"My goal when I went back to school was to put myself in a position for this," Jones said "I think it's a testament to the work I put in and the help from my coaches. I was blessed to have coaches that put me in great positions to be successful. Those were the things that were able to catapult me to be here."
I'm grateful to be on a good team and a great organization," Jones added about the Thunder. "I'm happy to be in an organization that is focused on the right things and putting people in the right position.Â
Jones will make his Summer League debut with the Thunder in Utah. He'll play three games in the Salt Lake City Summer League from July 8-10, before going to the Las Vegas Summer League.Â
"Dillon epitomizes a guy that has persevered and never made excuses," said WSU head coach Eric Duft. "He's always trying to get better and to see him grow and develop as a player and a person. We are so excited to see the joy of his family in this life-changing event and I know he'll keep working and find a way to be productive."
Jones was named the 2024 Big Sky Conference Most Valuable Player and earned first-team All-District and All-Big Sky honors this past season as he led Weber State to a 20-win season. Â
He finished the regular season leading the Big Sky in points, rebounds, and assists, the only player in the nation to lead a conference in all three categories. He was also one of five finalists for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year award.Â
Jones started in 31 games for the Wildcats and finished the season averaging 20.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. Per Sports Reference, since the 1992-93 season, Jones is one of two players in the country to post at least 600 points, 300 rebounds, 150 assists, and 50 steals in a season.Â
He finished the season 11th in the nation in double-doubles with 18 and was eighth in minutes played and third in defensive rebounds. He was also 23rd in the country in scoring and 23rd in overall rebounds per game.Â
Jones scored in double figures in all 31 games and scored 20 or more 17 times and a career-high of 30 points twice. He also had nine assists in a game four times during the season.Â
In the February 29 win over Northern Colorado, Jones tied his career-high with 30 points, had a career-high 23 rebounds, and tied his career with nine assists. He's the first player to post 30, 23, and 9 in a game since at least the 2010-11 season.Â
In four years at Weber State, Jones played in 119 career games at Weber State and started in 96 games. He finished his career ranking in the Weber State all-time top 10 in 13 statistical categories.Â
He is Weber State's all-time leader in steals and ranks second in assists, second in free throws made, third in rebounding, and fifth in points. He also ranks fourth in Big Sky history in rebounds. He also has 56 career double-doubles, the second-most in WSU history.Â
He finished his career as the only active player in the country and the only player in Big Sky history with at least 1,500 points, 1,000 rebounds, 400 assists, and 200 steals. Since the 1992-93 season, he is one of only four players in the nation to post those numbers in a career. Â
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"It's been crazy and still doesn't feel real," Jones said about his whirlwind week. "It's hit me but not fully set in but I'm excited to be here."
Jones was drafted 26th overall in the first round of the draft. The Thunder traded five future second round picks to move into the 26th spot to draft Jones.Â
He became just the second player in Weber State history to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft, joining NBA superstar Damian Lillard. Jones is the 17th player in WSU history to be drafted.Â
"My goal when I went back to school was to put myself in a position for this," Jones said "I think it's a testament to the work I put in and the help from my coaches. I was blessed to have coaches that put me in great positions to be successful. Those were the things that were able to catapult me to be here."
I'm grateful to be on a good team and a great organization," Jones added about the Thunder. "I'm happy to be in an organization that is focused on the right things and putting people in the right position.Â
Jones will make his Summer League debut with the Thunder in Utah. He'll play three games in the Salt Lake City Summer League from July 8-10, before going to the Las Vegas Summer League.Â
"Dillon epitomizes a guy that has persevered and never made excuses," said WSU head coach Eric Duft. "He's always trying to get better and to see him grow and develop as a player and a person. We are so excited to see the joy of his family in this life-changing event and I know he'll keep working and find a way to be productive."
Jones was named the 2024 Big Sky Conference Most Valuable Player and earned first-team All-District and All-Big Sky honors this past season as he led Weber State to a 20-win season. Â
He finished the regular season leading the Big Sky in points, rebounds, and assists, the only player in the nation to lead a conference in all three categories. He was also one of five finalists for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year award.Â
Jones started in 31 games for the Wildcats and finished the season averaging 20.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. Per Sports Reference, since the 1992-93 season, Jones is one of two players in the country to post at least 600 points, 300 rebounds, 150 assists, and 50 steals in a season.Â
He finished the season 11th in the nation in double-doubles with 18 and was eighth in minutes played and third in defensive rebounds. He was also 23rd in the country in scoring and 23rd in overall rebounds per game.Â
Jones scored in double figures in all 31 games and scored 20 or more 17 times and a career-high of 30 points twice. He also had nine assists in a game four times during the season.Â
In the February 29 win over Northern Colorado, Jones tied his career-high with 30 points, had a career-high 23 rebounds, and tied his career with nine assists. He's the first player to post 30, 23, and 9 in a game since at least the 2010-11 season.Â
In four years at Weber State, Jones played in 119 career games at Weber State and started in 96 games. He finished his career ranking in the Weber State all-time top 10 in 13 statistical categories.Â
He is Weber State's all-time leader in steals and ranks second in assists, second in free throws made, third in rebounding, and fifth in points. He also ranks fourth in Big Sky history in rebounds. He also has 56 career double-doubles, the second-most in WSU history.Â
He finished his career as the only active player in the country and the only player in Big Sky history with at least 1,500 points, 1,000 rebounds, 400 assists, and 200 steals. Since the 1992-93 season, he is one of only four players in the nation to post those numbers in a career. Â
No. 3?? in OKC
— Weber State Men's Basketball (@WeberStateMBB) June 30, 2024
?? @okcthunder pic.twitter.com/zCCo7r3w22
First day at work ?? pic.twitter.com/kXfAJKidsM
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 30, 2024
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