Kelvin "KJ" Jones (Assistant Coach): 3rd Season

On Pitt Community College Men's Basketball Staff for his third season collegiately, Kelvin Jones was acquired by Head Coach Darrick Mullins in August 2022 as an Assistant Coach.

Branded by the nickname "Coach KJ," Jones brings an infectious energy to the sideline. Jones' upbeat but disciplined approach to the game is an attribute to the staff. He looks to be considered a "Special Assistant to the Head Coach" as he intends to stick by and soak up as

much knowledge as possible from Head Coach Darrick Mullins this upcoming season.

Coach KJ, also an identical twin, boastfully displays his upbringing in the 252 area code of North Carolina. He refers to Princeville as home, but his family roots are in Bertie County.

Although Tarboro High School is known for its immaculate football program, Jones can be found on YouTube tearing it up on the basketball court. He played his Freshman season at Tarboro High School. In his sophomore season, he transferred to Bertie STEM High School, where he ran cross country and played junior and varsity basketball. Jones accredits Bertie County's "basketball culture," players, and Head Coach Lester Lyons for his successes on the court as he returned to Tarboro High School for his Junior and Senior seasons.

Jones played collegiate basketball at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, for one year before transferring to North Carolina Central University, where he was under the tutelage ofHead Coach LaVelle Moton. At NCCU, Jones never touched the court in-game as a player; he served his role as a practice player and manager. The managerial responsibilities allowed him to work closely with Graduate Manager Justin Bradley, Director of Basketball Operations Jake Williams and Video Coordinator Derrick Mallison, who he accredits, helped him see a different side of basketball outside of Head Coach LaVelle Moton. Fun Fact: NCCU already had a "KJ" on the team, the infamous 6'8 Karamo Jawara. Jones wouldhave to adopt the name "Little KJ" for the season as directed by "Big KJ" one day in practice.

Jones took a break from basketball to serve eight years in the United States Army as a Heavy Motor Operator (88M). After an honorable discharge from all contractual military duty in August 2022, "Coach KJ" joined the Pitt Community College family.

Jones has coaching highlights, such as being an assistant. Coach for Team North Carolina 2029 for the 2022 US Select Basketball Games (National Champion), '22 '23 Kenny Smith Invitational Showcase Champion, as well as the '23 Jordan Brand Legacy Classic Champion. Jones served as Team NC Asst. Coach for the 2022 US Select Games and then returned as Head Coach of the Team North Carolina in the 2023 US Select Basketball Games, where he assisted North Carolina in winning back-to-back US National Championships.

Kelvin Jones is also the Director of Christine Community Outreach Corporation, founded by his mother, twin brother, and himself. Affectionately known as "CCO," it is an award-winning nonprofit organization that gives back to communities in North Carolina while

connecting with the youth. Their programs include No Boys Allowed Basketball Clinic, a free all-girls basketball clinic created to be a safe space for girls of all ages to learn the game of basketball, and Non-Athletic programs such as the Tarboro Chess Club.

His goal at Pitt Community College is to be an asset to the community and the staff he serves. Kelvin Jones refers to himself as lucky to have "his backbone," his wife, Aaliyah Jones, and their three boys:  Karsen Jones (7), Kase Jones (3), and Keagan (7mo). Together, they serve as his motivation and support on his journey through life and basketball.